Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard has expressed his delight seeing Callum Hudson-Odoi make his first Premier League start on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old has found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season, with Blues boss Maurizio Sarri reluctant to throw him in the deep end at such a young age.

But Hudson-Odoi was finally given his first top-flight start in the 3-0 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge, and the highly-rated winger showed glimpses of his undoubted talent.

Belgian maestro Hazard was impressed with what he saw, but was keen to not praise the teenager too much, reports the Mirror.

Asked if he was as good as Hudson-Odoi aged 18, the Belgian joked: “I was better I think!”

Hazard added: “I think the guy was waiting to start a game in the Premier League but he is ready. You can see the way he is taking the ball, he is playing with a lot of confidence.

“He is still young and can improve of course, but yeah, he is already very good. I think he was happy to play.

“If he wants to ask me something I will tell him, no problem, but he is a great player already. If he wants advice I can teach him but you know he has everything already.”