Mourinho: Hazard's consistency sets him apart from the rest

Jose Mourinho has hailed Eden Hazard's improvement this season, claiming that the Belgian's consistency marks him out as one of the best players in the Premier League.

Hazard has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, while providing 15 assists, and has subsequently been nominated for both the PFA Player of the Year award and the Young Player of the Year prize.

Mourinho has backed the Belgian to win the senior gong, and says that his recent fine form is down to his unquenchable thirst to improve.

"One thing is the talent but another thing is to be consistent," Mourinho said of Hazard.

"In my opinion, we want to win the league, he wants to win the league, not the player of the year or something like that.

"Obviously on top of collective ambitions, the player deserves something special and when it comes from the other players on every team, it means a bit more."

Chelsea, who are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, face Manchester United on Saturday.