Topics: Jose Mourinho, Chelsea, Benfica, Football, Champions League, Reece James
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho appeared to single out one Chelsea player despite his side’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho, 62, was appointed as head coach of Benfica in September, having been sacked from his role as Fenerbahce boss just weeks earlier.
And the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ did not have to wait long to return to another of his former clubs as the Lisbon side faced the Blues in the Champions League league phase on Tuesday.
The Portuguese outfit fell to a 1-0 loss due to Richard Rios’ own goal on 18 minutes and may feel slightly unlucky to have left London without at least a point.
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Nonetheless, Mourinho enjoyed his return linking up with a number of old friends and was spotted speaking to several staff around the ground before and after full-time.
Early in the game, Chelsea supporters even chanted “Jose Mourinho! Jose Mourinho” before the Portuguese waved and blew a kiss in acknowledgement.
After the match, despite his side losing, Mourinho explained how he belongs to Chelsea’s history, and they belong to his.
“I feed myself with victories and results,” he said. “Of course, I thank them (the fans). I did it on the pitch.
“I know that there’s going to be a relationship forever. Hopefully, I will come back here in 20 years with my grandkids.”
However, it would not be an evening with Jose without some kind of controversy, and this came during his post-match press conference.
When discussing how he tried to play a second striker and freshen his side up to infiltrate Chelsea’s defence, the 62-year-old homed in on Malo Gusto and even claimed that Reece James is a “better player” than the France international.
“I saw Malo Gusto in difficulties,” Mourinho said. “But then Maresca has Malo Gusto in difficulties, so he changes for a better player than Malo Gusto.
“This is Chelsea’s squad that allows them to do that.
“I’m there [at Benfica] for 10 days, I play four matches in 10 days, so everything was travel, play, recovery, play, recover, play, travel, so there is not much time for development. But today I liked the performance very much.”
Next up for Mourinho’s Benfica is a trip to rivals Porto. The ‘Special One’ will be back in England once more on October 21 when his side face Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
