Thorgan Hazard is convinced that he has made the right choice in linking up with Borussia Monchengladbach on loan.
The 21-year-old midfielder is still hoping to make the breakthrough at parent club Chelsea, alongside his brother Eden, but acknowledges that he needs to prove his worth elsewhere.
The last two years have been spent back in his native Belgium at Zulte Waregem, but Hazard feels he is ready to take a step up in class.
A season-long agreement with Monchengladback will offer him an opportunity to showcase his talent on a Bundesliga stage and try to catch the eye of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Hazard admits he had other options to consider when deciding where the next step on his career path would take him, but believes German football is the most logical choice at this stage.
He told Corelio: “I didn’t talk personally to Jose Mourinho this summer, but I was honoured that he came to Zulte Waragem to watch me.
“My dad, who is my new agent, talked to Mourinho. He repeated what he said to me last year, that I have to play for a good team.
“Then we started talking to other teams. Which ones? I wanted to go abroad.
“There was interest from Spain and Germany, but I had the best feeling with Gladbach. They play attacking football, with lots of movement, and they will be in the Europa League.
“Did you see how Germany became world champions? That was a machine. I have to become a machine in Germany before I can move to the Premier League.
“I don’t have the same character as my brother but I will try to achieve his level.
“He didn’t help me in choosing a new team. It’s still our dream to play together at Chelsea, but I don’t know if that will ever happen.
“That Gladbach have taken me without an option to buy proves that they believe in me. If they want to loan me for an extra season, I’ll take that.”