A best Chelsea XI from Mourinho’s two spells at the club.
With this current Chelsea team looking like one of the best sides of Jose Mourinho’s entire managerial career, here’s look at how his current stars fit in alongside his previous title-winners at Stamford Bridge…
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GK) Petr Cech
One of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League era, Petr Cech is undoubtedly one of the best players Jose Mourinho has ever managed, even if he is no longer first choice this season with the emergence of impressive youngster Thibaut Courtois.
DR) Branislav Ivanovic
Although Paulo Ferreira was a top performer for Mourinho in the early part of his Chelsea career, his form dipped towards the end of his time at the club and Branislav Ivanovic is the better all-round player.
DL) Ashley Cole
Although he never won the Premier League title under Mourinho, Ashley Cole was a great player for Chelsea and one of the Portuguese coach’s best signings as he raided the England left-back from rivals Arsenal.
DC) John Terry
An easy choice at centre-back, John Tery remains a big player for Chelsea and was also captain for Mourinho’s first two Premier League title wins in 2004/05 and 2005/06. Another winners’ medal seems likely this season.
DC) William Gallas
Although his time with Chelsea ended on something of a sour note before he moved to Arsenal, William Gallas was a superb performer for Mourinho’s title-winning sides, whether at centre-back or left-back.
DM) Claude Makelele
One of the finest defensive midfielders in the game (the position is even named after him), Claude Makelele was a crucial member of Mourinho’s early Chelsea sides and a club legend for his contribution in a relatively short time at Stamford Bridge.
MC) Frank Lampard
One of the best players in Chelsea’s history, Frank Lampard should perhaps have been kept for one more season after his major role in Mourinho’s earlier success at Stamford Bridge.
MC) Cesc Fabregas
However, Lampard’s departure has allowed for Cesc Fabregas to shine for the Blues since joining from Barcelona this summer, and the Spaniard looks like becoming one of the signings of the season based on his displays so far – already one of Mourinho’s best midfielders.
AMC) Eden Hazard
At the top of a midfield diamond, Belgian attacker Eden Hazard is a world class player and undoubtedly one of the biggest talents Mourinho has worked with at Chelsea.
FC) Didier Drogba
Although not a key player so far this season, Didier Drogba was a huge part of Chelsea’s success in Mourinho’s first spell and has to go down as one of the Portuguese coach’s best-ever strikers.
FC) Diego Costa
Already one of Mourinho’s best signings, Diego Costa is one of the top strikers ever seen at Stamford Bridge and looks like making the difference for Chelsea in their quest to win the Premier League title this season.