Jose Mourinho admits he would love to have Chelsea winger Pedro Neto at Benfica as he prepares for an emotional return to Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho was appointed as Benfica manager earlier this month and takes the Portuguese side to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The 62-year-old, who was recently sacked by Turkish giants Fenerbahce, won three Premier League titles across his two spells in charge of Chelsea.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho said he would ‘always be a Blue’ but insisted he was still determined to lead Benfica to a European win.
‘I will always be a Blue,’ said Mourinho, who has won two and drawn one of his first three games back at Benfica, the club where he began his managerial career in 2000.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
‘I am part of their history. They are part of my history. I helped them to become a bigger Chelsea, and they helped me to become a bigger Jose.
‘It will be my Chelsea before the start of the game and after the game but during the game it’s my Benfica and that’s all that matters.
‘When I say I am not a Blue, I am only speaking about the job I have to do tomorrow.’
Mourinho embraced several journalists and Chelsea employees at his press conference on Monday.
As well as managing the Blues, Mourinho had spells at Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Porto, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma.
‘After 25 years [of coaching] I was expecting to go back to Portugal through the national team, not Benfica,’ Mourinho added.
‘I’m back to Benfica so I don’t have a career project. I don’t try to think what can happen or what cannot happen.
‘The important thing is giving everything. Now I’m in Benfica and very happy. It’s a big responsibility, Benfica is a huge responsibility for different reasons.’
Chelsea winger Neto spoke glowingly of Mourinho ahead of the Champions League clash against Benfica.
Enzo Maresca’s side were beaten by Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener, while Benfica lost 3-2 to Qarabag before Bruno Lage was sacked and replaced by Mourinho.
‘As a Portuguese player it will be a pride to play against a manager like Jose Mourinho,’ said Neto, who completed a £54m move from Wolves in 2024.
‘He gave us an opportunity to go around the world and play in the best clubs and for managers to coach the best clubs. We know what he represents to this club and to Portuguese people.’
Neto also said he would love to work under Mourinho and the legendary manager was asked about his compatriot’s comments.
Asked if he would like Neto at Benfica, Mourinho added: ‘Pedro Neto is one of the best wingers in the world.
‘Roberto [Martinez] at the [Portugal] national team is very privileged because he has not only Pedro Neto but four or five players of that profile.
‘At Benfica we don’t have as many. Of course I would like Pedro Neto but of course he is playing in a different reality, much different to ours, especially financially.
‘What can I say? I can wish him the very best, injury-free career. And of course I thank him for his words as well.’
Chelsea started the season strongly but Saturday’s defeat to Brighton was their third in four games.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.from: elfutbolero.us