Premier League: Jose Mourinho tips Eden Hazard to become a Chelsea legend
Monday 22 December 2014 19:50, UK
Eden Hazard is poised to sign a lucrative contract extension with Chelsea, where Jose Mourinho believes he can go on to be one of the club's all-time greats.
The 23-year-old has become an increasingly-influential force in the side since joining from Lille in 2012 and has been in fine form of late, racking up four goals in his last seven matches.
Despite long-standing interest from Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League opponents Paris St Germain, the Belgian is close to signing a new deal reported to be worth £200,000-a-week and Mourinho revealed a conversation with Hazard’s father left him in no doubt about the extension.
"He will (sign)," he said. "I was never worried about it, since the moment I met his father. Everything was very clear about their intentions and their happiness to stay with Chelsea.
My club always told me that the situation would finish with a new contract, so I was never worried about that.
"After that, it becomes a numbers situation. When it becomes a number situation, I'm more than happy to be out. But my club always told me that the situation would finish with a new contract, so I was never worried about that."
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Hazard has justified the £32m Chelsea paid, with his fine performances last term earning him the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
He was part of Chelsea's Europa League-winning side of 2013 and looks likely to add to that medal this season with the club still challenging in four competitions.
Legend
Mourinho believes Hazard can go on to become a legend at Stamford Bridge but warned he will be judged by the titles he helps the club to win.
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"I think so, I think so," Mourinho said when asked. "He needs to win titles because titles make players' history.
"I don't know players who are considered legends in clubs without winning titles, so he has to do that but the potential, I think, everybody knows."
