The Belgian was back in west London and out on the Stamford Bridge pitch for the first time since leaving the club as a two-time Premier League winner in 2019.

He was just one of the former Blues stars in the Chelsea Legends line-up for Saturday’s match against Liverpool, and enjoyed being back among his old friends.

That included several he played alongside during his Chelsea career, like Gary Cahill, John Terry, Petr Cech, Ramires, John Mikel Obi and Diego Costa. The last of those seemed to have lost none of his competitive edge, picking up a booking as he resumed battle with Reds defender Martin Skrtel.

‘Of course, this guy is still the same, we saw it,’ said Hazard with a laugh.

‘So it was good to be back with the boys, see them and touch the ball with them. It was good to be back, to see some faces I knew before.

‘You saw it, it was not easy, there is no easy game against Liverpool, but that’s what the fans want to see.’

However, Hazard himself was the man many of the Blues supporters in attendance were most excited to see again, having voted him as Chelsea Player of the Year on no less than four occasions. The feeling was mutual.

‘I think I can still play a bit,’ added Eden, with his trademark cheeky grin. ‘It’s been two years since I stopped, but it’s always good to be back here at the Bridge with all the fans.

‘I miss playing football in a big stadium like this but I play in the garden with my kids so it’s okay. I have five and they’re all Chelsea fans.’