Eden Hazard will be one of Chelsea’s new leaders this season but the 2014 player of the year will need further protection from referees if he is to thrive, according to his manager Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho says that Hazard is punished for the fact that he does not feign injury or make a fuss when tackled but the manager insists that he doesn't want him to change.

Mourinho sees Hazard as one of the top three footballers in the world now and among the players who will step up and fill the void left by the departures of Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

Eden Hazard needs greater protection from officials, according to his manager Jose Mourinho

Mourinho said he considered Hazard one of the leaders in the Chelsea team

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Mourinho said: ‘I would like more protection for him, but it’s beyond my control. I can only do what I am doing and what Eden is doing, which is to work and work and work to be stronger and stronger.

'I don’t want to change his mentality or personality. I don’t want him crying or overreacting. I don’t want someone to touch his shoulder and he reacts by throwing his hands in his face like some players do. I want Eden to be what he is - absolutely fantastic.

‘He’s getting stronger and stronger, not just in his body, but in his attitude. He’s mentally tough. He’s not the kind of boy who overreacts. After a bad tackle he never rolls and rolls like other players do.

'He doesn't try and push referees to make certain decisions. Eden is not this guy. He’s loyal and honest, and gets lots of respect from opponents because of that.'

Asked whether he was worried that it would take a serious injury before Hazard gets protection, Mourinho said: ‘I hope not. Let’s hope not. Eden is coming with big status now and was voted one of the top 10 players in Europe last year. In my opinion he should be in the top three not in the top 10.

‘John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are our captains and the others are ready to come. On the pitch Eden leads. He is not afraid to take responsibility.

Hazard was outstanding as Chelsea claimed the Premier League title with ease last season

Hazard's excellent performances earned him the PFA Player of the Year Award last season

Hazard poses with Belgian compatriot Thibaut Courtois after winning the Capital One Cup at Wembley

Mourinho has challenged Hazard to repeat or even exceed his achievements of last season in 2015-16

'He is not afraid to get the team in a dark situation and bring blue sky again for the team. He is not afraid of this. He is a guy with great discipline. He is not the kind of guy you see setting bad examples and so on.

‘So I think he can. His ambition is coming, he is also the vice captain of the Belgian national team. He has four seasons at Chelsea so he didn’t arrive yesterday. I think he is in this group. Eden, Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill are in this group behind the captains.’

Last season he won both the PFA and the Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards and Mourinho has challenged Hazard to repeat that feat and produce an even better season

Mourinho said: ‘He can repeat these trophies. To repeat these trophies I believe he has go to better, because the normal tendency is for people to find another star, to find somebody new to get these individual trophies.

Hazard is on the receiving end of some hefty challenges and Mourinho feels he needs more protection

Hazard signs a shirt for a fan during Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States

'But he has all the conditions to improve. With his age he can improve. I told all of them - including the medical department: “You have to be better.”

‘Two years ago we reached the Champions League semi-final but he didn’t play. He didn’t play in Madrid, he was injured at home. So he arrived in that crucial moment not in condition.