Jose Mourinho believes Eden Hazard can go on to become one of Chelsea's greats, but only if he is a key member of a side that claims major silverware at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international is close to signing a new five-year contract at the Premier League leaders which, at about €255,000 a week, will establish him as the highest earner at the club. Talks have gone on with the 23-year-old's legal representatives – the forward is currently operating without an agent – since the start of the season and agreement has been reached in principle, with Mourinho confident the deal will be formally confirmed in the new year.

"He will [sign]," said the Chelsea manager. "I was never worried about it, ever since the moment I met his father. Everything was very clear about their intentions and their happiness to stay at Chelsea. After that, it becomes a numbers situation. When it becomes a numbers situation I'm more than happy to be out [of the talks], but my club always told me that the situation would finish with a new contract."

Integral player

Hazard has claimed the Europa League with Chelsea since joining from Lille, with whom he had claimed Ligue 1, for €40 million in 2012 but is now established as an integral member of the team who currently sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

“I think he can become one of this club’s all-time greats, I think so,” added Mourinho. “But he needs to win titles, because titles make players historic. I don’t know players who are considered legends in clubs without winning titles. He has to do that. But the potential everybody knows.”

Chelsea hope to welcome Thibaut Courtois back from a groin injury at Stoke on Monday with his recovery to be assessed in training. Guardian service