Despite having to manage his fitness in the latter stages of the season, Kante was key to Chelsea’s success yet again in 2020/21, as demonstrated when he was named Man of the Match in both legs of our Champions League semi-final win against Real Madrid and the victory over Manchester City in the final itself.

His influence certainly doesn’t go unnoticed by those around him at Cobham, either, with our skipper full of praise for the French midfielder’s contribution to the team and off-field demeanour.

‘He is a very special person, very humble on and off the pitch,’ said Azpilicueta. ‘He covers a lot of ground, recovers the ball a lot and never runs out of battery.’

Azpilicueta had a big part to play in our success himself, though, becoming a vital figure in Thomas Tuchel’s back three, and he is hoping the versatility he has shown with the Blues will help him with Spain this summer.

‘During the last four months with my club I have played in a three-man defence and I try to adapt in the best possible way and give my best. I have played in a lot of different positions at Chelsea and I am completely available to play anywhere for Spain.’

Our captain’s excellent form en route to lifting the Champions League trophy in Porto and securing a top-four finish in the Premier League came at the perfect moment for Azpilicueta, as it earned him his first international call-up from Spain manager Luis Enrique since November 2018, just in time to be included in their squad for this year’s delayed European Championship.

‘I am very excited and looking forward to being with the national team,’ continued the 31-year-old. ‘When you are back it is something very special.

‘I have always had the desire to return to the national team and all I could do is work to the maximum with my team. There are lot of players for the manager to choose from and it is difficult, so I just focused on what I had in my hands. It was great news to be selected again.

‘This recognition is appreciated, but I know how football works and I know that if I play a bad game I will be criticised. I want to do my best.’

However, after completing his collection of silverware at Chelsea by adding a Champions League winner’s medal to the ones he had already picked up in the Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, Azpilicueta is hoping to replicate that club success at international level at Euro 2020.

‘I have been to two Euros, a World Cup, the Confederations Cup and the Olympic Games and I have a thorn in my side from not having reached the same level in those that I have reached with my club. I am looking forward to this tournament and want to show my best.

‘I have great enthusiasm about this squad. We have young players and the group is fantastic. We want to make up for the last two tournaments and we have a very nice opportunity. Hopefully we achieve something great.’