Chelsea may have sealed their spot in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, but the mood at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night was anything but celebratory.

Despite progressing with a 4-2 aggregate win over Polish side Legia Warsaw, the Blues were booed off the pitch after a lacklustre 2-1 home defeat in the second leg — and captain Reece James admitted the performance simply wasn’t good enough.

The result didn’t threaten Chelsea’s qualification, but the manner of the loss left fans frustrated, especially after manager Enzo Maresca had urged his players to “engage” the supporters before kick-off.

Fielding a strong starting XI, Chelsea were expected to brush aside Legia with ease, but instead, they looked sluggish and uninspired — something James did not shy away from after the game.

“We had a 3-0 lead, maybe that played a part in taking our foot off the gas,” the captain said. “We are making progress but that was for sure not progress. If anything, a step back.”

James went on to suggest the team may have underestimated the competition. “Maybe we disrespected the competition. If you don’t prepare right, you will pay,” he admitted.

With a last-four clash against Djurgarden on the horizon, Chelsea fans are demanding a response — and James knows the supporters deserve more. “It’s going to affect the mindset. It’s going to be in the back of people’s heads. I understand the frustration. Fans come to see excitement. We were frustrating to watch,” he added.

The boos echo a growing concern among the Chelsea faithful about the team’s inconsistency under Maresca. And while progress to the semi-finals is a positive step, performances like this only add to the doubts surrounding the direction of the club.

It’s clear Reece James gets it. Now it’s time for Maresca’s Chelsea to prove they do too.