Eden Hazard honing in on world’s best acclaim at Stamford Bridge

Premier League leaders Chelsea, 7/1 with Coral for a Champions League triumph, secured the long-term future of star man Eden Hazard, with the Belgian now hoping to become a footballing great for the Stamford Bridge club.

Jose Mourinho’s main man recently signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal with the Blues, after two seasons in London, following a reported £32m move from French side Lille in 2012.

This term, Hazard has again been phenomenal, captivating the top flight with delightful displays and helping his title-chasing team take a dominant lead over Manchester City in the table, striking nine times in 25 league appearances.

Mourinho was full of praise for his Stamford Bridge starlet, hailing him as the best young player in world football.

“He is already a top player and his evolution has been fantastic,” said Mourinho. “He is still very young and he can become the best.”

The Belgium international is second only to Diego Costa in Chelsea’s goalscoring charts this term, an incredible achievement considering the 24-year-old is deployed from a wide position, and he is extremely thankful to fans and his manager following their continued support.

“The manager has helped me improve a lot, the fans have been fantastic and I have an amazing understanding with my team-mates,” said Hazard.

“I always try to give pleasure to the supporters with my style of play and it is nice to know they appreciate my work.”

Eden Hazard has today signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea…http://t.co/i6YGX9wNNY #HazardCFC pic.twitter.com/JN4DiAAofG

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 12, 2015

Hazard’s sensational showings and prolific scoring exploits from the wings are reminiscent to that of former Manchester United wideman and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who began life as an out-and-out winger before becoming a clinical central marksman.

In rampant Ronaldo’s third season in the top flight with United, the Portugal captain netted one goal less than what Chelsea’s Hazard has already struck so far into this current campaign.

The former Old Trafford attacker bagged 15 strikes in his first two seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson at United, while Mourinho’s magnificent marksman impressively dispatched 30 times during his first two terms in Blue.

After five successful seasons at Old Trafford, Ronaldo was awarded with his first of an eventual three Ballon d’Or accolades, after guiding his side to a Champions League triumph in 2008.

With Hazard having emulated his Portuguese counterpart’s potent performances and displayed a freescoring run of form, similar personal successes could await the Belgian, having signed a new five-year deal with Mourinho’s silverware-hunting outfit.

The wonderful wideman helped his country reach the World Cup quarter-finals last summer in Brazil, and has made 147 appearances for the Blues, scoring 43 times. Although, Hazard has yet to hit his maximum potential and will undoubtedly improve throughout the remainder of his new deal.

Chelsea are runaway Premier League leaders but are also hoping to claim a Capital One Cup coup with the help of their brilliant Belgian. They are odds-on 4/6 favourites to topple rivals Tottenham at Wembley in the final.