Eden Hazard needs titles to become a Chelsea great, says Jose Mourinho

Belgium international close to signing a new five-year €255,000 a week contract

Jose Mourinho believes Eden Hazard can go on to become one of Chelsea's greats, but only if he is a key member of a side that claims major silverware at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international is close to signing a new five-year contract at the Premier League leaders which, at about €255,000 a week, will establish him as the highest earner at the club. Talks have gone on with the 23-year-old's legal representatives – the forward is currently operating without an agent – since the start of the season and agreement has been reached in principle, with Mourinho confident the deal will be formally confirmed in the new year.

"He will [sign]," said the Chelsea manager. "I was never worried about it, ever since the moment I met his father. Everything was very clear about their intentions and their happiness to stay at Chelsea. After that, it becomes a numbers situation. When it becomes a numbers situation I'm more than happy to be out [of the talks], but my club always told me that the situation would finish with a new contract."

Integral player

Hazard has claimed the Europa League with Chelsea since joining from Lille, with whom he had claimed Ligue 1, for €40 million in 2012 but is now established as an integral member of the team who currently sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

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“I think he can become one of this club’s all-time greats, I think so,” added Mourinho. “But he needs to win titles, because titles make players historic. I don’t know players who are considered legends in clubs without winning titles. He has to do that. But the potential everybody knows.”

Chelsea hope to welcome Thibaut Courtois back from a groin injury at Stoke on Monday with his recovery to be assessed in training. Guardian service