The Frenchman has eight goal involvements in the competition proper so far – five goals and three assists – and it is even more if you add the two goals he scored in our two qualifiers against Servette.

Nkunku has scored 14 times in all over the course of the 2024/25 campaign. To get here, he had to emerge from one of the most competitive regions in the world when it comes to footballing talent, and he puts it down to his desire and love for the game.

'When you are a child and you do something, it’s just because you love it and that has definitely helped me get to where I am,' he explains. 'When I started to play, I loved it, loved it, loved it, more and more and more. As time passes, you realise you do not want to stop playing football.'

It meant moving out of his family home at 13, and dedicating himself solely to the sport.

'It was really hard. Since then, I have not lived in my family house and this is hard, but you remember you are here for football because you have a dream and you have to sacrifice to achieve that. But I had the support of my family and my friends also.

'I had a lot of friends who went on the same path, but they didn’t make it. So I’m grateful.'

Career paths is also the theme of our interview with former Chelsea and Copenhagen midfielder Bjarne Goldbaek, who looks back on the 1998/99 Cup Winners’ Cup tie between the two clubs in which he scored against the Blues, before joining them shortly afterwards.

'Chelsea were looking for someone hard-working in midfield, they obviously saw the two games I played against them, and I probably did enough there to persuade them to sign me,' he tells editor, Richard Godden, of his move here.

As for tonight’s game, he isn’t playing favourites.

'Chelsea are the big favourite, for sure,' he says. 'But what I like about Copenhagen is that they have a big experience in Europe, playing Champions League and Europa League. They will not be starstruck. But it’s clear Chelsea are the favourite.'

In our Chronicles feature, Rick Glanvill investigates a strange trip to Denmark ahead of the final game of the 1950/51 season, which we needed to win to stay up, and the part played by our first non-British or Irish player, Nils Middelboe, in that unusual tour.

Then there is all the information you need on our opponents, FC Copenhagen, and the stats and facts behind this tie and our Conference League campaign. With columns from Enzo Maresca, Reece James, Sonia Bompastor, Daniel Finkelstein and our Academy coaches, you will be right up to speed with the goings on at the club.

Be sure to pick up your copy from the programme sellers around Stamford Bridge, or order online from our publications partner, Reach Sport.

Make sure to secure your spot at Stamford Bridge as the Blues bid to reach the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals. Tickets remain on sale for season ticket holders and members in Westview seats. Buy yours now by clicking here.