Jose Mourinho reflected on Enzo Maresca‘s tenure at Chelsea, contrasting it with the dominance of his own former Blues squads.
According to Mourinho, Chelsea experienced a period of decline, yet he remains optimistic about the current direction under BlueCo’s ownership. He pointed to their UEFA Conference League triumph as a promising milestone signaling progress.
Mourinho’s Perspective
Now managing Benfica after his departure from Fenerbahce, Mourinho is set to return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to face his former club, Chelsea.
The 62-year-old coach was candid when asked about the impact of Palmer’s injury, openly acknowledging that the Englishman’s absence could benefit his team’s chances.
Mourinho commended Maresca for gradually shaping Chelsea’s squad, drawing comparisons to the formidable teams he once managed at the club.
“I’m relieved Palmer won’t be playing,” Mourinho stated, as reported by Goal. “My Chelsea was a powerhouse, backed by significant investment and driven by strong ambition. After that era, the club seemed to lose its way, which was hard for the fans to witness.
“With Enzo Maresca now at the helm, the pieces are falling into place, and their Conference League victory is proof of that. They have built a solid squad, and while Palmer’s injury is a setback for Chelsea, it’s an advantage for us. Similarly, if key players like Sudakov or Pavlidis are sidelined, it poses a major challenge for my team.”