Eden Hazard signs new five-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/12/eden-hazard-signs-new-contract-chelsea

Version 0 of 1.

The Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

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

“I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,” Hazard told the club’s official website. “Since I came here in 2012 I have always felt good and the club has been very supportive to me.

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

Hazard was voted Chelsea’s player of the year last season despite some criticism from manager José Mourinho who described him as not a team player.

But Mourinho believes Hazard has evolved into one of the world’s best attacking talents and there is more to come. “He is already a top player and his evolution has been fantastic. He is still very young and he can become the best,” the Portuguese said.

“I am very happy that Eden has signed a new contract. It shows he believes in the club’s coaching staff and players to help him become the best player in the world.”