That it took until Saturday’s win on the south coast for Hazard to find the net in open play this season was an indication the Belgian’s form has fallen well below the very high standards he set in previous campaigns, with a lingering injury problem since the middle of the season certainly not helping.

However now restored to good fitness, Hazard is feeling very positive about his Chelsea future.

‘Every season is different but for the last six years I was at the top,’ he said.

‘When I was in France I was on the top and it is the first time in my career when I feel I am not on the top, but I need to learn. I am still young, I need to learn every day. I hope it will be better next year.

‘Of course I am looking forward to working with Antonio Conte. It is good to work with the best managers in the world. But we have a season to finish, he has a job to finish with Italy but we want to work together.’

Before then there are four club games left for the 25-year-old, beginning with the last London derby of the season, and he feels in good shape to compete in them before heading off to represent Belgium in the Euros.

‘Guus Hiddink has a lot of experience and he said to me take your time [with the injury] and when you are fit you will be back,’ reported Hazard. ‘He said don’t take the risk to play when you are still injured. When you are ready we can put you on the pitch.

‘It is good to be back in the team. After the Bournemouth game I feel everybody was happy for me and it is good to be back. I had almost two months without being on the pitch, it is difficult because I like football and I like to play.’

Now Hazard hopes to take the form he showed last weekend into Monday’s London derby and beyond.

‘Yes the game is important,’ he says, ‘but also the next one and the next one and the next one. We have four games to play and we want to finish the best we can. Four games and if we can beat all of the four opponents it will be good.

‘It is important to finish the season well, for the players who go to the Euros and to prepare for the next season, because we have a lot of games again to play next season and if we want to start really well next season we have to finish this season well.’

Hazard has only been on the losing side once against Tottenham in eight appearances, and he has won four of those matches. He explains what it is like to take on these local rivals.

‘When you are on the pitch you are concentrated just on beating the team but you can feel in the stadium that the atmosphere is a bit different when you play Spurs than playing other teams, because for the fans it is very important and for us as well.’