Eden Hazard appeared almost a little sheepish when he was asked, a few weeks ago, to explain how he had scored the best individual goal of the season. The final whistle had only just blown on Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United, when Hazard had slid through the visiting defence as if he was wearing ice-skates, and the Belgian was struggling to put the moment into words.

In typically nonchalant style, he first tried to claim that the strike was “a bit lucky”. But he was then pressed on the nature of the goal and, in particular, his low centre of gravity. “Well, I’m small so for me it’s quite good when I play against tall guys,” Hazard said. “It’s very hard for them to change direction.”

Hazard cannot be reasonably expected to explain in depth what has come naturally to him for his entire footballing life. This, though, was a pretty good summary of why he remains the Premier League’s most relentlessly thrilling individual talent. After all, there is a reason why Real Madrid are so keen to secure his services this summer and that reason extends far beyond trophies and accolades.

Hazard could easily end the season with zero titles to his name. Somehow, he did not even make the PFA Team of the Year. But few players have provided as many moments of individual genius this season, and no single attacker has been as vital to a team as Hazard has been to Chelsea.