Chelsea entered the Conference League as huge favourites to lift the trophy and have done very little to suggest that it won't be their name on the trophy come May. Such is the financial disparity between themselves and the rest, it is no surprise.
With the ability to rotate an entire XI and still name Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix - not to mention £30million summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall or last season's defensive recruit Axel Disasi - Enzo Maresca has an embarrassment of riches. Chelsea, with one game left of the group phase, have lived up to the hype.
Turning to fringe players and academy graduates, the club sit firmly at the top of the Conference League with five wins from five, scoring 21 along the way. They have made progression through to the knockout stages a formality from the beginning, as it always should have been.
A place in the top eight will ensure that they move straight into the last-16 as well, bypassing a round-of-32 match or play-off with teams between ninth and 24th. Astana, their opponents on Thursday evening, are in the conversation to go through despite only winning once so far.
A marker of just where the rest of the sides are at is that both Noah (who Chelsea beat 8-0) and Panathinaikos (a 4-1 victory that could have been even more comfortable on the scoreline) are also in the mix to play Conference League football after Christmas. On paper Fiorentina are the team to be most worried about.
Chelsea won't have to worry about them yet, though, and will have the privilege of facing a play-off winner when they enter the knockout rounds in early March. Here, football.london looks at all the impacts of Chelsea heading through.
Fixture boost
With confirmation that Chelsea are heading through already wrapped up, it means not only will they be able to head into next week's home clash with Shamrock Rovers without pressure - meaning another risk-free chance to play Cobham's finest - but there will also be no extra matches to fit into February. The play-off round will take place either side of games Chelsea have scheduled against Brighton and Aston Villa.
The mid-weeks free will be yet more opportunity for Maresca to keep his strongest XI fit. The only potential downside to this is that players such as Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George don't get the assurance of more senior minutes.
Nevertheless, even with a big squad it will be a positive for Maresca not to have to think about or prepare for yet more games. This is especially true given the travel involved for some of the ties.
Financial gain
Compared to the Champions League there is little on offer for Chelsea but every little helps. The club are not in a position to turn down the money available for winning and will be keen to secure the near £16million total that they will get for winning every match including the final.
That is some way short of even the Europa League but cannot be sniffed at. It is set to be another close shave when it comes down to meeting the Premier League's financial rules.
Road to the final
As mentioned, there isn't anything for Chelsea to be scared of in the Conference League. However, any move that can make games that much more simple will be appreciated.
Not only for the chance to rest more senior players and fringe options but for those youngsters getting into matchday squads as well. Chelsea finishing further up the table will, in theory, land them an easier pathway to the final in May. In reality, Chelsea know they are favourites regardless.
Worst-case
Not much looks likely to stop Chelsea going all the way but if there is to be anything causing an inconvenience then having long trips for an away leg in the next stage will certainly be one. Although Maresca showed against Astana that he is willing to leave behind almost all of his recognisable first-team stars, it is still a logistical strain and workaround.
None of this will be tolerated as an excuse for Chelsea. The Conference League remains and will continue to be at their entire mercy.
football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel
Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!