Sport

Mourinho could use Chelsea reunion to make a statement

Jose Mourinho knows the standing he has at Stamford Bridge. “The Biggest One” is how the legendary Portuguese coach labelled himself in the context of Chelsea’s history before a reunion with his former club in the Champions League this week. “I will always be a Blue,” he said. “I am part of their history and they are part of my history.”

Right now, Mourinho is a red. He will return to Stamford Bridge as the new manager of Benfica having been appointed by the Lisbon club earlier this month and can use Tuesday’s match to make a statement. With Chelsea struggling for form under Enzo Maresca, their former manager could rub salt in the wounds.

Indeed, Maresca is facing a reckoning as Blues boss. Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton made it just one win in five matches for a Chelsea team that was expected in some quarters to challenge for this season’s Premier League title. Maresca’s side are currently a long way from that being a reality.

Mourinho knows what it’s like to challenge for a Premier League title having won three of them. Benfica are counting on this experience pointing them in the right direction after the disastrous end of Bruno Lage’s tenure which saw The Eagles start their Champions League campaign with a shocking home loss to Qarabag.

It could be the case that Mourinho needs Benfica more than Benfica needs Mourinho with the 62-year-old still hurting from his exit at Fenerbahce. While Mourinho has earned himself a reputation for being a winner, he didn’t do a lot of winning over two seasons in Istanbul and ultimately left Fener with the tail tucked between his legs.

Benfica is where Mourinho started his managerial career and the hope, from their point of view, is that a return to the 62-year-old’s homeland will bring out the best of him as a leader and tactician. Mourinho has started well in his new job, winning two of his first three games in charge and making Benfica tougher to beat.

“I was lucky in my career to coach a lot of giants: Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United and Chelsea. Benfica is also a giant and a giant club entails giant responsibilities, giant expectations – it’s all giant,” said Mourinho when asked about taking over in Lisbon. “But it’s the kind of challenge I need.”

There are quality players in Mourinho’s new squad. Vangelis Pavlidis is a proven goalscorer at the highest level and has already found the back of the net seven times for Benfica this season. Andreas Schjelderup is a creative force on the wings while Dodi Lukebakio is another threat in the wide areas.

Then there’s Nicolas Otamendi and Antonio Silva at the back, giving Benfica genuine quality in their defensive line. Anatoliy Trubin is also a goalkeeper capable of big moments and big saves. There is quality for Mourinho to mould in his own image and that process has already started.

Of course, on talent alone Chelsea clearly hold the upper hand ahead of Tuesday’s meeting. They boast one of the deepest squads anywhere in European football having spent the best part of £1 billion over the last three seasons. And yet the Blues are vulnerable right now. Benfica could cause them problems.

It’s been a long time since Mourinho truly made his mark at the elite level of the European game. He won the Conference League as Roma boss, but that was a third tier competition. As Benfica manager, Mourinho is back in the Champions League and Stamford Bridge could once again be the scene of a triumph for him.