On this day in 2004 Jose Mourinho announced himself as the 'Special One' as he was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager. But over two successful spells at Chelsea who were his most special signings?
Mourinho was appointed boss at Stamford Bridge after leading his Porto side to back-to-back success in Europe, following a UEFA Cup win with the Champions League.
He became an instant hit with his proclamation but just how 'special' were the best players he brought to west London? We chose our top 10 Mourinho transfers at Chelsea. Petr Cech and Arjen Robben are disqualified having been signed earlier in the year, when Claudio Ranieri was still boss, before joining when Mourinho took over in the summer.
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10. Nemanja Matic - The Serbian midfielder just holds off Michael Ballack for the number 10 spot. The former Benfica man won two league titles with the Blues and his goal in the 2017 FA Cup semi final against Spurs is almost good enough to earn him a place on its own.
9. Florent Malouda - Signed by Mourinho in July 2007, the manager was gone just two months later. However Malouda still made 228 appearances for the Blues, scored 45 goals, assisted 43 and won the Premier League, three FA Cups and the Champions League.
8. Diego Costa - Costa was important to Mourinho winning the league in his second spell at Chelsea, scoring 20 goals in the league, in his first season in England. Won a second title under Antonio Conte before being jettisoned by the Italian.
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7. John Obi Mikel - Not the most dazzling or exciting of players or signings but Mikel is the sort of solid and reliable players that good sides, especially Mourinho ones, are built on. 372 games over 10 years winning two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League winners medal.
6. Cesc Fabregas - May have been at his best in Blue. His link up play with Costa was as good as any duo of the modern era. Two league titles, and FA Cup and a League Cup make his spell in west London more successful than his north London spell, despite being half as long.
5. Paulo Ferreira - Followed the manager from Porto and was part of the initial success with Chelsea. 214 appearances over nine years at Stamford Bridge and won everything there was to win and just missed out on sticking around long enough for Jose's return.
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4. Michael Essien - Referred to the Portuguese manager as 'daddy' when he joined him on loan at Real Madrid. Essien was undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world when he first moved to Chelsea and was utterly brilliant. Two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League.
3. Ricardo Carvalho - Like Ferreira he followed Mourinho from Porto. The perfect foil to John Terry in one of the Premier League's all time best defensive partnerships. Two league titles in Portugal, two in England and one in La Liga all with Mourinho. Won a second league title with the Blues after the 'Special One' had left too.
2. Ashley Cole - Probably the best left back in the world during his time at Stamford Bridge, absolutely integral for the team both at the back and getting forward. Only one league title but still four FA Cups, a League Cup, Champions League and Europa League. A brilliant signing that also weakened local rivals Arsenal.
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1. Didier Drogba - The banner at Stamford Bridge simply reads 'Drogba Legend' and that sums it up pretty well. Chelsea would never have won the Champions League if it weren't for the Ivorian who always turned up in the big games. 100 league goals in his first stint for Chelsea and four more as he returned for a swansong and one final trip with Mourinho. Four league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and of course that night in Munich. One of the best signings in Premier League history and certainly Mourinho's best.
Who do you think should have made the list? Let us know in the comments.
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