"Mourinho's right, your fans are s****" is a common chant heard at Stamford Bridge. It has been ever since Mourinho openly called out his own set of supporters in October 2014.
"Everyone knows how much I feel connected to this club and the fans," he said after a narrow win over Queen's Park Rangers on the way to what would be the club's fourth Premier League title. "At this moment it's difficult for us to play at home, though, because playing here is like playing in an empty stadium.
"The team then starts playing like it's a quiet, soft game at home. It's difficult to get that strong start where the players, team and fans at Stamford Bridge [are together]."
"I was today looking around and it was empty, but not in terms of people because it was obviously full. That's what is frustrating."
Mourinho had a lot of good will by the time he returned to Chelsea. His first spell had been glorious and The Special One captured the imagination and helped to deliver success on an unprecedented level for the club.
When he came back in 2013 there was immediate backing and optimism. Mourinho was so popular that even when he was sacked in December 2015 with Chelsea just outside the relegation zone, it was the players who bore the brunt of criticism and abuse from the stands. Mourinho was largely protected and shielded by those who felt he defended the club with his own back.
Enzo Maresca does not have anywhere near the same connection, track record, or appeal to the Stamford Bridge faithful. If anything, his public perception is getting worse and worse by the week as performances labour - even if results have momentarily picked up.
That is what made his comments on Sunday after a 1-0 victory against Leicester City so risky. Maresca essentially told Chelsea fans to be more supportive of the team, which is not a ridiculous thing for a manager to want, but it comes at a time whereby his style of football is proving to be unsettling.
Groans and boos have been heard throughout the season when players chose to go backwards rather than forwards, recycling possession instead of looking for a direct way through. That is what Maresca is after in his attempts to land total control of the ball, starting off choreographed sequences spark by drawing a press and then playing through opposition teams.
For a set of matchgoers used to the dynamic, physically intense, and battle-hardened XIs it is quite the difference and has led to audible moments of tension. On Sunday, Maresca was shouted at by one supporter sat not far behind the dugout. The lack of noise at Stamford Bridge made it impossible for the Italian not to hear they almost screamed "What is the matter with you?!"
Maresca responded in the second half after Marc Cucurella's goal by celebrating pointedly with a glare towards the section of the East Stand. The frustration being voiced is also a wider reflection of unhappiness at the general vibes coming from the club but it fundamentally unfolds when games are being played.
Chelsea's need for an improved atmosphere is not a new issue. Mourinho demonstrated it and even during successful periods in the following 11 years it has often been a quiet stadium to visit. That is only more apparent when tempo is down and nervousness creeps in.
Jose Mourinho denied Florent Malouda his dream squad number at Chelsea
(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Maresca has asked for patience and buy-in to his methods of positional and possession-based football without being able to fully show what the rewards will be. Chelsea remain in the race to qualify for the Champions League as well as winning the Conference League, which would meet the season's goals, but Stamford Bridge is still not a happy place and that is never a good sign.
Mourinho's previous comments show that it is not just Maresca who has had to fight to get more backing, though. Maurizio Sarri also felt the downbeat nature of Stamford Bridge as well as the toxicity. Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino all did too.
What separates Mourinho is the standing he had within the fanbase and his reputation. Maresca is unlikely to ever match that but knows that whilst not having a vicious crowd onside is unhelpful, Stamford Bridge can be a serious weapon for Chelsea when it matters.
Join the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp community
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot with team mate Jadon Sancho during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Stamford Bridge on September 28, 2024
Sign up to our Chelsea WhatsApp service and get all the latest breaking news and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Chelsea writers direct to your phone.
By signing up to this free service you will be the first to know the news from Stamford Bridge as it happens.
To join our Chelsea community, all you have to do is **click this link**to join and you're in!