Jose Mourinho confirms Eden Hazard is close to signing new contract with Chelsea as Blues boss insists Belgian star can become 'one of the best'

• Eden Hazard is close to signing a new contract with Chelsea, reveals Jose Mourinho
• Chelsea boss hails Belgian's evolution as a Blues player 
• Mourinho believes Chelsea are yet to hit top form despite 100 per cent start to the season 
• Didier Drogba trained ahead of Chelsea's Champions League match against Schalke
• Drogba was forced to miss Blues' win against Swansea with an ankle injury
• Ivorian striker could start on Wednesday as Jose Mourinho considers resting Diego Costa
• Mourinho confirms Eden Hazard is ready to sign a new contract with the club 

Jose Mourinho says Eden Hazard can become one of the world's greatest after confirming the Belgian is close to signing a new contract.

Sportsmail revealed on Monday that the forward is set to pen a new £200,000-per-week deal.

And speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League opener against Schalke, the Blues boss said: 'He means a lot because he's a fantastic player.

                                                                   Eden Hazard (centre) races Chelsea's latest signing Loic Remy (left) during his team's training session on Tuesday morning

'We are feeling day by day his motivation to work hard and improve. We have big hopes that he will go from the top player he is at this moment and will reach higher levels to become one of the best.

'He is a player who we want to keep, in spite of the fact he has a long-term contract as young as he is. It's true Chelsea are trying to have an agreement over a new contract, and that he wants to stay and commit for a few more years.

'It's a question of time. One more month, one less month, and he'll have a new contract. 

                                                                   Belgian winger Hazard (left) is sent into a fit of laughter by Chelsea striker Drogba (centre) as the pair head our for training with Cesc Fabregas (right)

'I think there's been a big improvement. That's why we're seeing that, from a top talent, he's a fantastic player.

'But now we want, because his talent allows him to, to go from a top player to one of the greats of his generation.

'That's why we think he can and why we're proud that he thinks that Chelsea is the perfect environment for him to have that evolution.

'That's why he wants to commit to us, and why we want him to commit for the future, too.' 

                                                                   John Obi Mikel (right) helps Chelsea winger Willian with his hair as Costa shows off his ball handling during Blues training

                                                                   Mourinho believes his Chelsea side are yet to hit top gear despite winning their first four games of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign

The Portuguese boss also fired a chilling warning to Chelsea's rivals, insisting his side are yet to hit top gear despite their 100 per cent start to the season.

The Blues have lived up to their tag as title favourites with a blistering start to the season, summer signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas in particular impressing for the Stamford Bridge club.

But Mourinho insists there's still much more to come from his side ahead of Wednesday's Champions League opener. 

                                                                   Blues boss Mourinho was all smiles during Chelsea's training session ahead of his pre-match press conference

'We are far from perfection, we try to improve every day,' said the Portuguese.

'There's things we do behind the scenes to improve everyday. There's different aspects added to our game all the time.

'There's been an evolution from last year. We feel he have the conditions to do better than last season.'

Cesar Azpilicueta shares a joke with his Chelsea team-mates Loic Remy (left) and Nemanja Matic (right) during a training ground routine on Tuesday morning

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic also believes although his side have enjoyed a bright start to the season, the Blues still have a long way to go if they are to collect any silverware this season.

Sitting alongside Mourinho, Ivanovic said: 'Our squad looks good but we know the season is long, so we have to say on this level and be even better.

'I just try to do my best, I've got a couple of goals, but as a defender that's not so important. I really enjoy getting forward and it's good for the confidence when you score, but I prefer not to concede.'

Branislav Ivanovic (right) is pleased with Chelsea's 100 per cent start to the season, but knows there is still a long way to go 

The team has had the unfamiliar presence of Petr Cech on the substitutes' bench after a decade in the first team, with Thibaut Courtois displacing him as first-choice goalkeeper.

Mourinho declined to reveal who would start in goal, but insisted he has not designated competitions for his goalkeepers.

'Don't be surprised if he (Cech) plays a Champions League game or a Premier League game, or if Courtois plays a Capital One Cup game,' Mourinho said.

'What I don't do is this competition is for me and this competition is for you. I must make choices. Petr is more than ready to play every game.'