Chelsea 8-0 FC Noah: 'They shouldn't be in it' Blues cruising in ...

Chelsea broke a Conference League record with their demolition of Noah - and left observers wondering what they are even doing in the tournament.

The Blues have improved significantly under Enzo Maresca from the side which sneaked into Uefa's third tournament at the end of last season.

And even though they are playing their second string in the tournament - with star player Cole Palmer not even registered - they are blowing everyone away.

Thursday's 8-0 victory broke the previous Conference League record win - held jointly by three teams - by two goals.

After three games they have scored 16 goals, twice the total of the next-best team.

"Chelsea shouldn't be in this competition, but this is where they are," said former Blues midfielder Joe Cole on TNT Sport.

"This tournament doesn't start for Chelsea until the quarter-finals or semi-finals. They are massive favourites to win it and they should be."

Former England striker Peter Crouch felt just as strongly.

"Looking at some of the names, I just don't see how they can lose this tournament," he said.

The Blues, who would become the first team to win the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League should they go all the way, are ranked eighth in Uefa's club rankings.

Armenian side FC Noah - founded just seven years ago - are 311th in the list.

Transfermarkt puts the value of the entire Noah squad at £6.5m - compared to Chelsea's £800m-rated squad.