Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard capped a magnificent return to form by being named Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony in London on Sunday night.
The Belgian, who also scooped the Goal of the Season gong for his solo strike against Arsenal, vowed to remain at the club when picking up his prize at Battersea Evolution, with N'Golo Kante winning the Players' Player of the Year accolade.Â
Manager Antonio Conte presented the top award, which was voted for by the fans after being whittled down to a shortlist, with Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Kante also nominated for the main prize.
The night ended with a tribute to the departing captain John Terry who collected a Special Recognition award and made an emotional appearance on stage in which he admitted he could call time on his career.
He said: 'Chelsea's my life and it has been for 22 years and it'll never go away. The fans mean everything to me, the memories will live with me forever. I couldn't be here without you and I thank you from my heart.'
'I hope to be back here in the future. The club have made it clear that the door is always open. I'm going to go away for a week and will decide my future, whether that's playing or finishing.'Â
'I'm finding it hard to even consider playing for another club at the moment, but that was the desire for why I'm leaving so we'll see what happens, and see what the future brings.'Â
The Premier League champions last week cancelled plans to stage a victory parade on Sunday having deemed it 'inappropriate' following the terror attack in Manchester, but the club pressed ahead with the annual awards gala in west London.
The Blues are still licking their wounds after suffering defeat in the FA Cup final by Arsenal, but that did not prevent the squad from enjoying their end-of-season awards ceremony on Sunday.Â
London's wet Bank Holiday weather may have captured the mood among the first team squad following Saturday's defeat, but the night focused on the positives at Stamford Bridge. Â
The first prize of the night was awarded to Hazard, with his brilliant individual effort against Arsenal on February 4 winning the Goal of the Season.
The Belgian was in jovial mood on stage as he was also nominated for his goal against West Ham at the London Stadium, saying: 'Just to make sure, which one is the best? I scored two!Â
'Nemanja my friend, unlucky!' he added, after Matic missed out for his strike against Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final.
Former players were also in attendance, with Michael Ballack announcing Hazard as the winner, among an audience that included the Class of '97 - 20 years on from their FA Cup success against Middlesbrough.
It was not long before the current players were coming out to loud applause inside the venue, as captain Terry and Gary Cahill carried in the Premier League trophy, with the first-team squad following them to their seats.Â
Frank Lampard led the tributes to Terry in a video reel of tributes from former players, saying: 'He leaves the legacy of being the most successful captain in our history, and the most successful captain in Premier League history taking over Roy Keane.Â
'What he's done off the pitch, involving himself with the fans and with the academy… those are legacies that match his performances on the pitch.'Â
The main award was won by midfielder Willian 12 months ago, after an eventful campaign which saw the club sack manager Jose Mourinho and eventually finish 10th in the Premier League under interim boss Guus Hiddink.
The event also revealed the Players' Player of the Year award with Kante a popular winner after a superb maiden campaign at the club since his £30million arrival from Leicester last June.
'It's been a great season (for the team) and hopefully next season we will be even stronger,' the midfielder said.
'To be chosen by the other players is something special, I want to thank them.'
Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes announced the Player of the Year award in her team, with Karen Carney a deserving winner, with Mason Mount picking up the Academy Player of the Year award.
Credit: Daily Mail