Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has appeared to backtrack over comments he made about Eden Hazard and has not revealed whether the Belgian will return to the Blues starting line-up soon.

Having initially been critical of the reigning Premier League Player of the Year, Mourinho praised Hazard at the end of last season as he collected a host of individual awards, comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

However, Mourinho has appeared to backtrack on his praise for Hazard telling reporters before his side's match with Dynamo Kiev tomorrow night that he never made such comparisons.

Mourinho said: "I didn't say he had a better season than Ronaldo.

"Last season he won one of the most important titles in football, which is the Premier League, and [he was] absolutely decisive for Chelsea. Last season he had a phenomenal season."

Chelsea fans will hope Hazard is able to regain the form of last year and he may well get the opportunity in Kiev.