Last season's undisputed player of the year has yet to reach the same dizzy heights.
But Chelsea boss Mourinho has so far kept faith in him this season and he will start against Arsenal today.
Other Blues stalwarts, including skipper John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesc Fabregas and star striker Diego Costa have found their places under threat.
And Mourinho insists reputations count for nothing with him, as he infamously proved at Real Madrid when he froze out their legendary goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas.
"I did that all the time in Real Madrid, Inter, Chelsea, Porto," he said about dropping star names.
"When I do I don't look at the passport, or the ID, or to the age. I am just looking for a performance level.
"I make my options, I play who I want, I don't care what you say about it, you media pundits. I don't think about the consequences.
"I play the player I think is the best for that game for that moment."
Hazard, 24, has yet to score in seven appearances for Chelsea and blazed an early penalty way over the bar in the 4-0 Champions League defeat of Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Mourinho tried to make light of Hazard's woeful effort, joking it was more like a conversion, fans might expect to see in the Rugby World Cup, which started yesterday.
"We agreed he did it for some sponsor to promote the Rugby World Cup!" said Mourinho. "But he's the best penalty taker in this country too.
"If the ball is on the spot he's my first option. He's the best player in England. Because Wayne Rooney doesn't score for three weeks doesn't mean he's not a fantastic player.
"Eden is the best player playing in this country. And will be the best again. And I don't know if it's against Arsenal or next week he will be man of the match."
Mourinho also stated Chelsea deserved credit for allowing Petr Cech to get his wish to join title rivals Arsenal during the summer.
Cech is sure to receive a brilliant reception from home fans on his first return to Stamford Bridge following the end of his 11 trophy-laden years at the club.
"It was not my decision to sell Petr to Arsenal," said Mourinho.
"It's bad by the football point of view, but it's a fantastic message that the club gave to everyone who plays in this club. For everyone who works in this club, it's a fantastic message.
"These clubs that stop their players from being happy, they stop their players to choose their destiny and Chelsea did this with one of the biggest players in Chelsea's history.
"So for me, I repeat, it was not my decision. It's against my way of thinking about football.
"But I put myself with the owner and the board with that decision because I understand the dimension in that decision. It was a special case."
