Hazard must win titles - Jose

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Eden Hazard of Chelsea and Eduardo Vargas of Queens Park Rangers in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge on November 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Eden Hazard of Chelsea and Eduardo Vargas of Queens Park Rangers in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge on November 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Published Dec 19, 2014

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COBHAM, United Kingdom – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists Eden Hazard must help the club win more titles if he is to join the ranks of their greatest players.

Hazard's value to Mourinho's side will be confirmed when he puts pen to paper on a lucrative new five-year contract.

The Belgian international, signed for £32 million (40.8m euros, $50m) from Lille in 2012, was criticised by his manager towards the end of last season when Chelsea fell short in their challenge for honours.

But the 23-year-old has responded this season with a string of impressive performances that have seen the winger touted as a future Ballon d'Or winner and seen him linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Mourinho is in no doubt about the player's potential, but says Hazard's future status at Stamford Bridge will be determined by the success he delivers on the pitch.

The manager said: “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.”

Hazard was already contracted to Chelsea until 2017 but Mourinho had no doubt the player would commit his long-term future to the London club.

He added: “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 at Chelsea. 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.”

Hazard has helped Chelsea establish a three-point lead at the head of the Premier League table going into the latest round of matches.

Manchester City could close the gap if they beat Crystal Palace, 48 hours before Chelsea face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

But Mourinho insists that will not add to the pressure on his team.

He said: “We started the season with the same number of points as them. If, tomorrow, we have the same number then that's fine.”

The form showed by Chelsea during the opening months of the season has prompted suggestions they could pull off a clean sweep of all four major trophies.

But Mourinho said: “I go match after match. We can do a quadruple on Monday, which is to win four consecutive matches. That's the quadruple.

“We have to try. If we do a few quadruples in the season, winning four matches in a row, we'll have chances to win competitions.

“But I can't think in two competitions in the same time. I can only think one at a time.

“Now, it's only the Premier League for the next few weeks. So, for the next few weeks, the Premier League is the competition that matters.”

Mourinho, meanwhile, paid tribute to Thierry Henry following the former France striker's decision to retire.

He said: “I was reading some of his words with some emotion. I'm always very sad when the big players stop their careers.

“But, at the same time, when I read about his wonderful journey and the way he enjoyed his career, and the way he looks forward for the rest of his life, I'm happy.

“I think he's a very happy guy, very proud of everything he did. I think he looks forward to the new steps in his life, always connected with football for sure.

“I just want to thank him for the great moments he gave to all of us.”

But recalling Henry's quickly taken free-kick for Arsenal against Chelsea in 2004, he added: “Only one moment I didn't enjoy, which was the goal he scored against us when Mr Poll (the referee) allowed him to take the free-kick when everyone was still preparing.

“Even in that moment he showed how intelligent he was playing football. So thanks for everything he gave to us, and we wish him the best for the future.” – Sapa-AFP

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