‘I have to pay you!’ – Jose Mourinho reunites with former player Joe Cole with thanks for continued praise as Special One calls ex-Chelsea winger ‘best pundit in history’

Cole has been full of praise for Mourinho ahead of the eagerly anticipated match. He told TNT Sports: “From my perspective, he is like a [Bill] Shankly of Chelsea in the sense that money came in, and he steered the ship. It’s a much harder thing to do to take Chelsea from where they were underneath the top table to winning everything. It was Jose who started that process, and a lot of what we see at the club now he’s imprinted and instilled into the culture.

“I think he’s one of the most significant figures in the club’s history. He’s gone and managed Tottenham and Manchester United, but I think the Chelsea fans know in their heart what job he did there. He had remarkable success at the club, so overall, I’d like to think now he will get a good reception, as enough time has now passed. If I had my time again as an 18-year-old starting out my professional career, Jose would be the manager above all the others I’d love to play for again. Absolutely – and that’s not to say it was always a walk in the park. But I loved the passion, the fighting spirit. Everything about that team, and playing for his team, felt great. I loved it.”