The Eagles are due to face off with the London club on Tuesday (30.09.25), and Mourinho - who managed Chelsea from 2004 to 2007 and 2013 to 2015 - has reflected on his return to Stamford Bridge for the game.

Speaking ahead of the match, Mourinho, 62, said: “I will always be a Blue.

“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.”

Under Mourinho’s leadership, Chelsea won the seven major trophies, including three times in Premier League, the FA Cup and three League Cups.

Even so, Mourinho insisted he was ready to “block” his emotions as Chelsea host the game.

Speaking with TNT Sports, he said: “Honestly, I would prefer to play, just to speak about London, against Arsenal, Fulham or West Ham.

“It's not something that gives me an incredible pleasure, but I block my emotions and tomorrow I’m just going to do my job the best I can, and my job is to try to help my team.

“I’m always motivated in every match, it doesn’t matter the opponent. Maybe now is a bit different, maybe tomorrow after the match is a bit different. But during the match, I don't think I'm going to have any kind of emotion in relation to that.”

Despite his silverware-filled history at Chelsea, Mourinho doesn’t expect a warm welcome at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “I think they are not here to see me. I think they are here to support that team, which is the logical thing.

“If you ask me if I am waiting for antagonism from them, I would say, no, why? Why should I feel antagonism? But I'm not also waiting for support because I know that in this case, I'm not blue, I'm red.

“Of course I have good memories. I think for around six years, more or less, I think I’ve lost one single match. So lots of good memories.”