The 6ft 6in custodian breaks it down into three areas – shot stopping, commanding his area and playing out from the back – in an exclusive interview in which he explains he is feeling 'back to himself' again after an injury-hit first season at Stamford Bridge.

'I came back early in the summer, trying to get really prepared for pre-season, and then I had a good pre-season too,' he says. 'I was trying to get back to my full physique, and I think when the first game of the season came around, I was probably in the best physical condition I’ve been in my life.

'I’ve been going back to my aggressive self - taking up high positions for through-balls, defending the area for crosses, defending cut-backs inside the box, commanding and talking to my team-mates, leadership… things that I always had. I think I’ve been doing that really well, probably my best season in that area of goalkeeping.

'Then, obviously, there’s playing out from the back and we’re training like that every day with Enzo and Micky [De Bernardin, goalkeeper coach], understanding what they want, and slowly improving.'

You can also read an exclusive with Chelsea legend Michael Essien, who is currently coaching at Danish club Nordsjaelland.

'I am working as an assistant coach and supporting the Under-19s, and also the club's academies in Ghana and Egypt,' he tells programme editor Richard Godden. 'I am enjoying it a lot. It’s totally different to my playing days but I am used to it now, having been doing it for the last four or five years.'

As he looks back on his spectacular Chelsea career, Essien reflects on how he pre-empted the inverted full-back role when asked to drop into a part-right-back, part-midfield position under Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant in the late 2000s, not least in the 2008 Champions League final.

'I was actually talking about this recently, that as a right-back I used to wander into midfield,' he says. 'The goal I scored against Arsenal is a good example of that. The game has changed, of course, but there are so many similarities. I look back sometimes and think I used to do that and it just has a different name now.'

Elsewhere in the programme, historian Rick Glanvill looks back on the distinguished career of John Harris, once of Chelsea and Wolves, and a respected Blues captain in his prime. Then there’s all the latest from the club, including stats and facts, opposition insight, and columns from key figures, including Maresca, Reece James and Sonia Bompastor.

Be sure to pick up your copy from the programme sellers around the stadium, or order online from our publications partner, Reach Sport.