A run that starts against Leicester City this evening and ends with the Champions League final in Portugal will be crucial in determining how successful 2020/21 can be viewed at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel spoke at Monday’s press conference about how finishing in the top four was his primary aim when taking the reins in late January, with the Blues sat 10th at the time, and the feeling in the dressing room is not to waste the hard work that has gone into climbing the table over the past four months.

Victory against the Foxes at the Bridge would not only partially avenge the FA Cup final defeat of three days ago but also see us leapfrog Brendan Rodgers’ side into third, a target Azpilicueta has in his sights.

‘We have everything in our hands to finish third,’ claimed the captain. ‘It has been a long way to arrive where we are today and to have it in our hands.

‘In January, we were 10th and had a few teams in front of us. We had to do our job and also wait for the other teams to lose points but we’ve been climbing all the way and now we cannot give it away.

‘We have six points to play for and the next game is massive. We have to be fully focused because our target is to be in the Champions League next season and we have to make sure that we are ready.’

As skipper of the side, responsibility often falls on Azpilicueta to set the mood inside the dressing room and the Spaniard’s calm nature is a steadying influence during turbulent times.

‘When you are at a club like Chelsea, we always demand the best of ourselves on and off the pitch,’ he continued. ‘We go into every single game and every competition to win so you have to be strong mentally.

‘There are ups and downs in a season and in a career of a footballer. In the highs, it’s important not to be too high and to keep the balance, and also when the moments are not that good you must keep cool and be humble.

‘Personally, I am the first to look at myself and I’m critical enough to know where I can do better. I never felt that I learnt everything as a player on the pitch, but also on the outside. I am always developing as a captain and improving as a person.’

The Blues have occasionally struggled against opponents who play with a more compact, safety-first approach and Leicester’s game plan is expected to be similar to that this evening given a point will be a useful result for the visitors.

In the Cup final, Azpilicueta felt fine margins decided the 1-0 result in the Foxes’ favour and hopes we will come out on the right side of those tight moments tonight.

‘We face a team that is well organised and that has their threats,’ he added. ‘On Saturday, there were not many opportunities and we were sometimes not able to make the right decisions in the final third to be more dangerous.

‘They scored a good strike from long distance and then we had the goal ruled out by VAR by centimetres, as well as a great save in the last minute. In the big games, just the little details can make the difference and they were not for us.

‘We will try to do everything to win and get the three points so we go into the final game of the season with everything in our hands.’