Chelsea may not be the biggest football club in the world nor the most successful, but when it comes to box office drama, they are in a league of their own.

Since 2003 when Roman Abramovich purchased Stamford Bridge and everything that goes with it, Chelsea supporters have always found themselves on the edge of their seats. On myriad occasions they have lept to their feet to celebrate great triumphs and cheer their heroes. Though from time-to-time, they have stood as one to chant defiantly the name of a player or manager who has helped script such glories but subsequently fallen prey to Abramovich's single-minded power games.

Titans of the Bridge Ashley Cole, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry found themselves shown a perceived lack of respect by the club's power brokers during the latter stages of their Chelsea careers while managers Jose Mourinho (twice), Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Di Matteo -- who delivered four league titles, three FA Cups, three league cups and the Champions League between them -- were swiftly hustled out of a job when results and circumstances turned against them.

When Antonio Conte transformed Chelsea's style of play last season and set about winning the Premier League title, the Italian was cheered to the rafters by jubilant supporters. The reverential "Antonio, Antonio, Antonio" chant reverberated around Stamford Bridge and there was a genuine belief among the fans that this time, finally, the club was set for a period of stability. Conte appeared to have been given the mandate to manage the team his way and would be backed in the transfer market. Perfect. With further news emanating about the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge and speculation about a move to a temporary new home, amid this upheaval at least there would be continuity in the dressing room.

Chelsea's indifferent form has led to speculation Antonio Conte could lose his job at Chelsea. Mike Egerton / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Chelsea being Chelsea, within a matter of weeks of winning the title rumours started emanating that Conte was running into difficulties. The public spat with striker Diego Costa, simmering since January, boiled over when Costa told the world that Conte had texted him telling him he was surplus to requirements.

Chelsea's transfer dealings during the summer appeared to be a constant source of frustration for the boss. Despite bringing in players of undoubted quality in Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko, the sale of Costa, Nemanja Matic, Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake and Bertrand Traore meant the squad looked threadbare despite the deadline day acquisitions of Davide Zappacosta and Danny Drinkwater.

As the new campaign got underway, ill-discipline brought red cards for captain Gary Cahill, Cesc Fabregas and David Luiz. The suspensions, combined with injuries to N'Golo Kante and Morata, coincided with a poor run of results and stories surfacing that some players were disenchanted with Conte's rigorous training regime. It has not helped the Italian's cause. Soundly beaten 3-0 by Roma in the Champions League, Conte laid into his team, accusing them of "lacking everything" and in the wake of the defeat, the inevitable "sack" stories started. It all sounds rather familiar.

Rewind the clock a couple of years and it was Mourinho, the self-proclaimed Special One, whose name was being chanted by the Stamford Bridge faithful. They showed their support amid tales the Portuguese was being blanked by both the boardroom and the dressing room.

Mourinho was sacked. The fans were hurt and though some protested, the world moved on. It always does in football. Mourinho became Manchester United manager and Conte took the Chelsea job. Last season, the two men jousted on the touchline and engaged in verbal sparring. On the pitch, by and large, the Blues got the better of United, but that was then and this is now.

The timing of Chelsea's latest showdown with their adversaries from Manchester couldn't have been better scripted. There is plenty of talk that if Mourinho's side get the better of the Conte's team on Sunday, it could spell the end for Conte, particularly if his players lack commitment. But Blues supporters are ready. They will be in full voice, roaring on their support for Conte just as they did for Mourinho.

Deja vu, Groundhog Day, call it what you will, there's a horrible sense that irrespective of their admirable efforts, history is not too far away from repeating itself and the whole cycle will begin again.