It reflects how significant a player Mateo Kovacic has become for Thomas Tuchel this season that his dynamic presence was greatly missed at points during the game at Turf Moor.
Sure, you can look at the full-time score and assess that the Croatian's absence from the starting lineup was not that detrimental, and you would be correct. But given the lack of energy from the centre of the park in the first half, Kovacic's marauding runs forward have become a part of Chelsea's most encouraging play in recent weeks.
At the end of last season, Kovacic was a late substitute in the Champions League final that could have led to his swansong in a Chelsea shirt.
For many Chelsea supporters, the jury on Kovacic was still out. It was hard to ascertain what attributes he excelled at to an elite level or whether his aesthetically pleasing technique led to much substance.
The final Premier League game of the season away to Aston Villa optimised why both he and Jorginho had come in for criticism, easily bypassed on transition and failing to contribute anything groundbreaking in the final third.
As I tweeted at the time, I would not have minded if that was the finale of the duo at Chelsea. Both have stayed and have seen their reputation majorly enhanced under the coaching of Tuchel.
But Kovacic really has used 2021/22 as a season to address his harshest criticism.
Gone are the circular dribbles that lead to little, replaced with piercing direct runs that progress the ball forward in an engaging way.
Gone are a lack of telling contributions in attack, as demonstrated by 0.54 goal contributions in the Premier League this season. His assists per 90 minutes are up from 0.06 last season to 0.12.
His actual assist total of five betters his three in the 2019/20 season, a year when he was voted player of the season.
His superb passes to Romelu Lukaku against Aston Villa and Callum Hudson-Odoi against Norwich earlier in the season showcased a streamlining of his talent.
An unfortunate abductor injury ruled him out of action from late October to mid-December, with the added setback of COVID just as he was ready to return.
But it is to his credit that those setbacks did not derail a good start.
He quickly proved to be an inspired force again in Tuchel's midfield, retaining a key place for the clash against Liverpool where he scored one of the goals of this season.
With Kante, Liverpool failed to make a successful tackle against the pair and failed to complete a take-on against them. Neither player even conceded a foul via Squawka.
Kovacic then managed to keep Jorginho out for the clash at Manchester City, the Club World Cup final, last 16 first leg against Lille and the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. A run of fixtures Kovacic would have certainly watched on from the sidelines at the back end of last season.
With the reality of new ownership, the 27-year-old finds his reputation enhanced, with many wanting to maintain his services for the coming years as a senior figure in the dressing room.
His current deal, signed in 2019 when he made his initial loan from Real Madrid permanent for £40m, runs until May 2024. Whilst his two midfield peers in Kante and Jorginho run out in 2023.
Not only do their futures hang in the balance this summer, but there is the prospect of Chelsea investing heavily in a new midfield addition.
On Thursday against Norwich, Kovacic should be back in the starting lineup. His presence has consistently made Chelsea a more effective team this season. And saying that demonstrates where Kovacic has greatly improved.
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