Cesc Fabregas is in a perfect position to judge the talents of Chelsea's star turn Eden Hazard having also played alongside his friend Lionel Messi at Barcelona, and he is quick to suggest the Belgian international is on his way to joining some of the game's greatest players.
When asked Monday whether Hazard is capable of reaching the kind of heights Messi has touched in his career, Fabregas told reporters: "He can be one of those for sure. He can be up there [with Messi] for sure. He's had a fantastic season, I just want for him to do it again next year and to be even better.
"He's the main guy. In my mind he is the guy that makes this team better than it is. Next year he has to prove himself in the Champions League as well because he is capable of that, and I am sure he will give many big nights of glory to this club."
Fabregas concluded by suggesting this season's Premier League title win will be the first of many for Chelsea, with the balance between youth and experience allowing for a smooth transition to the next generation of winners under Mourinho's watch.
He said: "Hopefully it will be the start of a new era, a new team. Hopefully the new players now feel this winning mentality can go on for a long time.
"Even obviously we have the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic and Jon Obi Mikel, they have all been here seven or eight years, even longer."
Fabregas has recorded 17 Premier League assists in 32 appearances, scoring three goals, since he signed for Chelsea from Barcelona last summer.