Chelsea's club-record-equalling 11 consecutive league wins has seen its fair share of success stories. The emergence of Victor Moses as a genuine wing-back, the return to dominance of fallen heroes Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, the maturity of David Luiz; all of these and more have been noted and feted by observers whether partisan or neutral.

One player who has largely slipped under the raider, however, despite being just as influential as any of those mentioned above, is Cesar Azpilicueta. But after a man-of-the-match display in Saturday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, the 27-year-old is starting to get the wider recognition that his performances have merited.

Not that Chelsea supporters need any reminding about his quality. When the defender nicknamed "Dave" signed a new contract earlier in December, the news was warmly welcomed in all corners, a just acknowledgement for a player that has always given his all since his arrival at Chelsea from Marseille in 2012 for the preposterously low price of £7 million. Even during the tumultuous 2015-16 campaign, Azpilicueta was one of the few to be able to emerge with his reputation intact.

This season, his reputation has blossomed even further following a seamless transition from full-back to central defence. On the face of it, a player of slight stature and standing less than six feet tall should have little right to succeed in that position, especially in the hurly-burly environs of English football. Yet he has not just survived, he has positively thrived.

Perhaps his ability to adapt to strange circumstances should have been assumed given his previous role as a left-back despite being ostensibly right-footed. That he came to prominence at Stamford Bridge by usurping the great Ashley Cole illustrated that this is a player capable of rising to the greatest of challenges and filling the biggest of shoes.

Cesar Azpilicueta's transition from full-back to centre-back has been vital to Chelsea's success this season. Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images

It is all a far cry from the his days at Marseille, when one radio pundit poured such scorn on Azpilicueta's ability that he promised to eat a rat live on air if he ever won an international cap. After playing for Spain against Uruguay in February 2013, Eric Di Meco had no choice but to eat his words along with a large slice of rodent.

There are many reasons to be impressed by Azpilicueta. His one-on-one defending has long been heralded and he has taken that trait with him to central defence. Another huge asset is his speed and ability to cover the ground at a rapid rate, closing off any space that might materialise.

This has been of particular comfort to Moses, another who has been successfully converted into a previously unfamiliar role. While Moses' defensive nous has pleasantly surprised all observers, there have understandably been occasions when he has been caught out of position. Thankfully for him, Azpilicueta has rarely failed to fill the vacuum left behind. In fact, it has been notable that the majority of opposition threats have come down the other flank where the less swift Gary Cahill has the duty of covering for Marcos Alonso. Saturday's win at Selhurst Park, with Martin Kelly repeatedly raiding down Chelsea's left wing in the first half, further highlighted the discrepancy.

The match also showcased Azpilicueta's other virtues. A crucial element in prospering as a centre-back is good aerial ability, and the Spaniard has shown that he is more that equal to the task. As a full-back, heading the ball is not the primary requirement, though this previously hidden skill has come to the fore in recent weeks. An intelligent defensive header from a Palace free kick that dispelled any danger was one case in point. However, three days earlier during the 1-0 win at Sunderland, he made an even better intervention with his head late on to deny what would have been a tap-in at the far post and the concession of two points.

And then there is his ability on the ball. He might not have the same quick feet or range of passing as Luiz, though his days as a full-back mean that he is no stranger to moving into attacking positions and delivering a decent pass. Both those characteristics were evident for the winner on Saturday, when Azpilicueta's surge into space was spotted by Hazard and his delicious cross was headed home by Costa.

So complete is his game and so impressive have his performances been that Branislav Ivanovic, a player with both the traditional physical characteristics of a centre-back and experience of playing the role, has been kept on the sidelines. Even when John Terry and Kurt Zouma return to full fitness and form, it would be a huge surprise if it was Azpilicueta that was omitted for their benefit. "Dave" has become as vital to Chelsea as both Hazard and Costa, and right now there is no greater praise than that.