It’s difficult to like Chelsea, the club that symbolise everything that’s wrong about big-time football.

Nowhere is player power more in vogue than Stamford Bridge.

The old guard click their fingers and the managers jump.

And they are ruled by an aloof billionaire who gets through bosses like the rest of us change our shirts.

But, for European purposes only, we should get behind them.

As England’s sole survivor in the Champions League last eight, they have earned our support.

The comeback victory over Napoli was magnificent; a full-blooded cup victory crafted on sheer graft and will-to-win.

Of course there was still a “typical Chelsea” moment amid all the glory when Didier Drogba collapsed to the ground clutching his face – having been brushed in the chest.

The TV cameras superbly confirmed his deception, catching his sneaky glance at the referee as he writhed on the floor.

But theatrics apart, it was a rip-roaring display that deserved every accolade.

It’s good to see the Premier League, which boasts at being the best in the world, getting its face slapped by losing three of the four representatives slip so early from Europe’s elite test.

But like John Terry and England, Chelsea have stubbornly hung in there.

What price Fernando Torres scoring the winner in Munich on May 19?