The incoming manager Maurizio Sarri was regularly seen lighting up pitch-side at ex-club Napoli.

Italian rules allow managers to smoke during games, to the relief of bosses Carlo Ancelotti, Marcelo Lippi and Gianluca Vialli in the past.

But smoking is banned in stadiums in England, meaning the Europa Leaguebound Blues will have to turn to the Rolling Stones legend for inspiration.

Newham Council allowed Richards to puff away during the band’s show at the London Stadium this year as it was part of “the performance”.

And Chelsea could look to exploit the loophole to keep their chain-smoking boss happy.

An insider said: “Maurizio will struggle if he has to wait 90 minutes to have his next ciggie.

“He’d be in a foul mood, especially if Chelsea have another season like last year.

“Keith Richards is their best hope to keep him on-side.”

Earlier this year RB Leipzig took the extraordinary measure of building a special room to allow Sarri to smoke inside their 42,000-seater Red Bull Arena.

A concrete wall was constructed especially to allow Sarri to puff on a cigarette or two.

Napoli star Marek Hamsik said of his ex-boss’s smoking habit: “Sarri is a passionate smoker.

“I have never seen anyone who smokes so much.”