Eden Hazard signs new Chelsea deal

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract.

Hazard joined Chelsea from Lille in June 2012 and has since made a total 147 appearances for the Blues, scoring 43 goals.

“Since I came here in 2012 I have always felt good and the club has been very supportive to me,” said Hazard, who has scored 13 goals in 36 appearances this season, helping Chelsea take a seven-point lead atop the Premier League.

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

Blues boss Jose Mourinho criticised Hazard in May last year, claiming “he is not the kind of player ready to sacrifice himself 100% for the team”. The 24-year-old appears, however, to have earned the trust of his manager, having started every one of Chelsea’s league matches in the current campaign.

“I am very happy that Eden has signed a new contract,” Mourinho said.

“It shows he believes in the club’s coaching staff and players to help him become the best player in the world. He is already a top player and his evolution has been fantastic. He is still very young and he can become the best.”

Hazard was named PFA Young Player of the Year and Chelsea’s Player of the Year at the end of last season, having finished with 17 goals.