Chelsea boss Mourinho confident of Hazard deal

Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (left) vies with Swansea City's English midfielder Wayne Routledge during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Swansea City at Stamford Bridge in London on September 13, 2014. PHOTO | OLLY GREENWOOD |

What you need to know:

  • The 23-year-old signed for a reported £32 million ($52 million, 40 million euros) from Lille in 2012 and has become a key figure in his two years at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho expects Eden Hazard to sign a long-term deal with Chelsea after announcing the Belgium playmaker is discussing a contract extension.

The 23-year-old signed for a reported £32 million ($52 million, 40 million euros) from Lille in 2012 and has become a key figure in his two years at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard has three years to run on his current deal but Mourinho believes Chelsea will want him to commit to a longer contract in a bid to ward off interest from rival clubs.

"We have big hopes that he will go from a top player to reach higher levels," said Chelsea manager Mourinho, speaking on the eve of the Champions League Group G opener with Schalke.

"He's a player we want to keep. It's true Chelsea is trying to have an agreement for a new contract.

"It will be a question of time. It will end with a new contract.

"He wants to commit to us and we want to commit to him for the future."