Kevin De Bruyne is ready to stay and fight for his place in the Chelsea team after receiving assurances from new boss Jose Mourinho. The Belgium forward's agent, Patrick De Koster, has revealed that Mourinho called his client after Belgium's 2-1 win over Serbia earlier this month to assure him he had a future at Stamford Bridge.

De Koster said: "Mr Mourinho gave a phone call to Kevin, explaining a little bit the situation for next season.

"We didn't receive any guarantees, but it's normal in a team like Chelsea. It's up to him to prove like he did in the last 18 months.

"A year and a half ago when he signed a contract at Chelsea, it was like a dream which became reality. Afterwards it was important for Kevin to put the right steps at the right moments.

"Kevin wants to play. Playing football, he became a better football player. I think he proved it staying six months more in Genk and last season in Bremen.

"He did very well. Now it's up to him to prove the same thing at Chelsea."