While several leagues across the continent have regularly utilised the Saturday evening kick-off slot, with high-profile games often scheduled, it has traditionally been avoided in the English game.

Yet with a greater demand for live Premier League football in the UK and a worldwide audience to satisfy, it is a timeslot that will become commonplace this season – our trip to the Gtech is the first of four in September.

It's worth noting that the five previous occasions Chelsea have kicked off at 8pm on a Saturday came during a 10-month period which straddled the two coronavirus-hit seasons in 2020 and 2021.

The first of them was played on 4 July 2020, an unusual month for club football – but then nothing was standard during the pandemic.

After the campaign was paused in March due to the first nationwide lockdown, it was resumed in June to a backdrop of empty stadiums. The following month, on a late Saturday evening, Watford were the visitors to an eerie Stamford Bridge.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley sandwiched a Willian penalty as Frank Lampard's side claimed a 3-0 win and fourth place in the top flight.

A month later, this time in Germany, the long-delayed UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg was played at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, scene of our 2012 triumph and where we will return to next week to begin our latest European adventure.

There was little chance of Lampard's side overturning a 3-0 first-leg loss with 10 men at the Bridge – which took place in February – and Robert Lewandowski scored twice in a 4-1 win. Tammy Abraham notched for the Blues.

Our next 8pm Saturday kick-off came the following season. On 5 December, Premier League visitors Leeds United were sent packing from Fulham Road despite an early shock from former Blue Patrick Bamford.

In front of 2000 supporters at the Bridge, Giroud levelled within 25 minutes and, after the break, Zouma put the hosts ahead. Christian Pulisic made the final score 3-1 to send the Blues top of the table.

The following Saturday, 12 December, the time slot proved less lucky, as Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson converted a penalty at Goodison Park to end our 17-game unbeaten run.

We've saved the best for last, though. On Saturday 29 May 2021 – with an 8pm start time in the UK – the Blues faced Manchester City in the Champions League final.

In front of the limited but fervent Chelsea supporters, the Blues opened up a lead in the first half when Kai Havertz converted after a pass from Mason Mount.

Thomas Tuchel's side had to defend well in the second period, and did so impressively as City were restricted to very few genuine chances.

Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta lifted the big-eared trophy later that evening as we were crowned European champions for the second time.