After signing from Basel in the summer, Veiga has featured in eight of our ten fixtures in all competitions this season.

And having earned his first senior Portugal call-up last month, Veiga caught the eye once more against Gent, with his goal exemplifying another dynamic performance from the 21-year-old.

‘He played like an attacking midfielder,’ said our head coach after the 4-2 victory. ‘He was playing in the pocket for the first time this season for us. He did very well. You never imagine Renato arrive in the box and score with a header from a cross on the other side.

‘When we needed him as a holding midfielder against Bournemouth, he was there. The other day against Brighton he was a full-back. The good thing is that he is versatile.’

Before the clash with Gent, Cesare Casadei spoke about his development in the deeper position Maresca has identified for him so far this season. There was more evidence last night of the steps forward the young Italian is taking.

He was a dominant figure in the middle of the park and started plenty of attacks with incisive passes through the lines. It was a display that earned more positive words from his compatriot Maresca.

‘Cesare played very good against Barrowand played even better against Gent,’ assessed Maresca. ‘I’m very happy with the way he’s playing.

‘I had Cesare last year [on loan at Leicester] and he was playing in a different position. This year we are using him like a holding midfielder.

'The reason why is that football goes in the direction where probably in the middle you need a physical player and Cesare off the ball is very big, strong physically, helps us when we want to press.

‘On the ball, he is improving a lot, he played one-touch most of the time so we are very happy. It’s the same for the rest, there are many things he can do better, but the good thing is he is going in the right direction.’

The same can certainly be said for this Chelsea team right now.