Jose Mourinho admits Newcastle United were deserved winners at St James’ Park (CBS Sports)

Jose Mourinho hailed Anthony Gordon as ‘the best player on the pitch’ in Newcastle United’s 3-0 win against Benfica in the C…

Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Chelsea summer signing Estevao Willian, insisting he has ‘great potential’ and is already ‘playing at the highest level’.

Chelsea secured a deal for Brazilian sensation Estevao in the summer of 2024 but agreed to let him stay at boyhood club Palmeiras for one more season.

The Blues saw off competition from several clubs to sign Estevao, who is rated as one of the most promising young players in the world and has been compared with his compatriot Neymar.

Chelsea paid an initial £29m to sign the 18-year-old but the overall fee could rise to just under £50m if various add-ons are met.

Estevao featured for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup over the summer before finally moving to Stamford Bridge in August ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Enzo Maresca has opted to start Estevao in four of Chelsea’s six Premier League games so far this season and the teenager made his Champions League debut as a second-half substitute in Tuesday’s win over Benfica.

‘Estevao is a talent,’ new Benfica boss Mourinho, who suffered a 1-0 defeat on his return to Stamford Bridge, told TNT Sports Brazil.

‘People might have thought he would take time to adapt because of his youth, inexperience and the competition he has at Chelsea.

‘But he arrived, is playing at the highest level and is a player with great potential.’

Estevao’s bright start to life at Stamford Bridge has also attracted praise from Chelsea hero Dennis Wise, who believes he could be the club’s ‘next superstar’.

‘He’s only young, and there’s still a long way to go, but he’s already shown what he’s capable of,’ Wise told Sky Bet.

‘As a Brazilian international, he’s even scored his first goal for his country, which is a huge milestone at such an early stage of his career.

‘He looks every bit like a little superstar in the making. That said, he still has to prove himself on a regular basis.

‘At Chelsea, he’s got competition for his spot, so he’s got to hold that place, and make sure he’s constantly the main man in the team.

‘He’s got fantastic ability – it’s just about consistency, week in, week out. He’s also got to keep ahead of the individuals sitting behind him, waiting to get into the team, because they’ve got a lot of talent too.

‘He’s a great talent and he’ll have a massive impact on the Premier League. We’re all excited, especially because he’s only 18 years old.

‘To be doing so much at such a young age is fantastic – but he’s got to keep it going.’

Chelsea lost their Champions League opener against Bayern Munich but bounced back with a battling win over Benfica.

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Jose Mourinho was back at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea beat Benfica ( Getty)

Enzo Maresca and Jose Mourinho delivered different verdicts on Alejandro Garnacho after Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday e…

Mourinho was back in west London with Benfica.

Joe Cole discussing Chelsea’s win over Benfica (Picture: TNT Sports)

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Jose Mourinho pleaded with the Benfica fans to back off (Picture: TNT Sports)

Jose Mourinho personally intervened after Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez had objects thrown at him from Benfica fans at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez strolled o…

Brutal from Mourinho’s chief rival in Turkey.

Jose Mourinho admits he would love to have Chelsea winger Pedro Neto at Benfica as he prepares for an emotional return to Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho was appointed as Benfica manager earlier this month and takes the Portuguese side to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The 62-year-old, who was recently sacked by Turkish giants Fenerbahce, won three Premier League titles across his two spells in charge of Chelsea.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho said he would ‘always be a Blue’ but insisted he was still determined to lead Benfica to a European win.

‘I will always be a Blue,’ said Mourinho, who has won two and drawn one of his first three games back at Benfica, the club where he began his managerial career in 2000.

‘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.’

Mourinho embraced several journalists and Chelsea employees at his press conference on Monday.

As well as managing the Blues, Mourinho had spells at Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Porto, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma.

‘After 25 years [of coaching] I was expecting to go back to Portugal through the national team, not Benfica,’ Mourinho added.

‘I’m back to Benfica so I don’t have a career project. I don’t try to think what can happen or what cannot happen.

‘The important thing is giving everything. Now I’m in Benfica and very happy. It’s a big responsibility, Benfica is a huge responsibility for different reasons.’

Chelsea winger Neto spoke glowingly of Mourinho ahead of the Champions League clash against Benfica.

Enzo Maresca’s side were beaten by Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener, while Benfica lost 3-2 to Qarabag before Bruno Lage was sacked and replaced by Mourinho.

‘As a Portuguese player it will be a pride to play against a manager like Jose Mourinho,’ said Neto, who completed a £54m move from Wolves in 2024.

‘He gave us an opportunity to go around the world and play in the best clubs and for managers to coach the best clubs. We know what he represents to this club and to Portuguese people.’

Neto also said he would love to work under Mourinho and the legendary manager was asked about his compatriot’s comments.

Asked if he would like Neto at Benfica, Mourinho added: ‘Pedro Neto is one of the best wingers in the world.

‘Roberto [Martinez] at the [Portugal] national team is very privileged because he has not only Pedro Neto but four or five players of that profile.

‘At Benfica we don’t have as many. Of course I would like Pedro Neto but of course he is playing in a different reality, much different to ours, especially financially.

‘What can I say? I can wish him the very best, injury-free career. And of course I thank him for his words as well.’

Chelsea started the season strongly but Saturday’s defeat to Brighton was their third in four games.

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Enzo can get one over on the iconic Blues boss.

‘Then there was a big change with crazy investment.’

Jose Mourinho is Benfica’s new head coach after their decision to sack Bruno Lage this week (Reuters)

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Jose Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce (Picture: Getty)

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Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Fenerbahce (Picture: Getty)

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Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (Picture: Getty)

Ange Postecoglou is in talks over a Premier League return less than three months after he was sacked by Tottenham.

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Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou (Picture: Getty)

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Spurs chairman Daniel Levy decided to sack Postecoglou at the en…

‘There is a distinction between before me and after me.’

Jose Mourinho sanctioned Fenerbahce’s bid for the Arsenal star (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho has sanctioned a Fenerbahce transfer bid for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arsenal have dropped their asking price for the defender.

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Jose Mourinho gave a tearful tribute to his former Porto captain Jorge Costa, who has died aged 53.

Costa was the captain and one of the influential figures in Mourinho’s Porto side which won the Champions League in 2004.

The former centre-back won 21 trophies during his time at Porto, including eight Portuguese league titles and the UEFA Cup. He was also capped 50 times by Portugal.

Costa, who returned to Porto last year to become their director of football, suffered a cardiac arrest at the club’s training ground on Tuesday. He was immediately treated and taken to Sao Joao Hospital in critical condition before he died.

‘It’s part of my history that goes,’ Mourinho said during his press conference with Fenerbahce on Tuesday night.

‘You have captains and you have leaders. It’s not always about the armband but what you represent,’ Mourinho added. ‘And Jorge was one of these guys who cleaned the garbage and let the coach do his job as a coach.

‘That’s perfection for a coach when his captain does this work. Of course, I’m very sad it’s part of my history that goes.

‘But let’s forget football, let’s focus on him, on Jorge, on his kids, who I met when they were really kids, but now are grown men.

‘And I’m here now because if he could speak with me now he would tell me, come on, do your press conference. And he would say tomorrow play the game Mister, win the game and forget about me. That would be Jorge.

‘So that’s what I’m going to try and do, do my job today, do my job tomorrow and then cry after. But today and tomorrow I have a job to do and I know Jorge would tell me to do my job.’

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager, Andre Villas-Boas, who is now the president of Porto, said in his tribute message: ‘Jorge Costa has left us. Our Beast. The eternal Legend of the Club.

‘Respected by so many, loved by all Porto fans, a role model as a person, as a professional and an idol to many.

‘Firstly, and on my own behalf, on behalf of FC Porto, its Board of Directors and its Governing Bodies, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his family, children and friends.

‘Next, to all Porto fans and our Blue and White family, I leave my sincere condolences.

‘Jorge Costa was one of our most beloved players, a legend who lived the Club and Porto like few others. He was unique in his way of being and relating to us and our colors. Today, we want to tell him that we will always be by his side, with the awareness and obligation to give back to him everything he gave us throughout his life. And it was a lot: blood, sweat, and tears.

‘Jorge is indescribable. He embodied everything that FC Porto is and always will be. His upright approach to victory, his limitless spirit of conquest, his moving dedication to his club, and the leadership he carried with him, wearing the legendary and eternal number 2, continued to mark FC Porto’s history with national and international achievements.

‘Jorge Costa left his mark on us all with his dedication, with everything he gave and continued to give to FC Porto. Any book that recounts the beautiful and long history of our Club will portray him as one of the most important athletes in our history. That’s how we will remember him.

‘Personally, I remember him in a special way. I always considered him a friend and saw him as a source of strength and inspiration in the dedication we are obliged to give to our Club. A friend who was always by my side. A demanding friend who, when he felt someone was flagging, was quick to offer a message of strength and focus. Not long ago, he wrote me these words:

‘Andre, I want you to know that I will always be by your side, for our FC Porto.

‘It was like this: he would get involved, scold us, lead us into the fight and only let go when he saw us celebrating a victory again.

‘Many of us remember what he suffered when he had to leave us to play for Charlton. And most of all, we remember his unbridled joy when he returned and donned the blue and white jersey once again. And what did he do next? He won everything.

‘We also remember that, while he was making his mark as a coach, he decided to abandon his career because he believed he could once again be useful to his club in a management role. He arrived without regrets and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his new role as Director of Professional Football. And that’s how he left us today: working for FC Porto’s success, after a technical meeting and an interview in which he discussed the next game of this season, which is now beginning, with the same desire to win that has always characterized him.

‘Jorge Costa never gave up. Even knowing how important he was to all of us, he never claimed a victory for himself. Victories always belonged to FC Porto. He was like that on the field and will be like that for eternity. Jorge Costa’s legacy will live on in the memories of all Porto fans.

‘Jorge, we will miss you immensely, but don’t doubt that we will fight for you just as you fought for us and for FC Porto.

‘You will never be forgotten, Captain.’

A statement from Porto read: ‘Jorge Costa, the legendary FC Porto captain and current Director of Professional Football, passed away this Tuesday from cardiac arrest,’ a Porto statement read.

‘Futbol Clube do Porto expresses its deepest sadness and consternation at the passing of an inescapable figure in the Club’s history.

‘Throughout his life, both on and off the field, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of achievement. He touched generations of fans and became a major symbol of Porto.

‘In this time of immense grief, Futebol Clube do Porto extends its deepest condolences to Jorge Costa’s family, his friends, and all who shared unforgettable moments with him.

‘As this is a time of grief for his entire family and for the Porto Alegre family, we ask everyone to exercise the required discretion and respect during this time of farewell. More information will be released in due course.

‘Jorge Costa’s legacy will forever live on in the memories of all Porto fans.

‘You will never be forgotten, Captain.’

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This would be a blockbuster reunion.

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