The Blues started sluggishly at the City Ground.

The Blues started sluggishly at the City Ground.

The Blues have injury problems to contend with.

The Blues are on the road again this weekend.

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

Joe Cole heaped praise on Chelsea’s ‘unsung hero’ after the Blues beat Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.

An own goal from Be…

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.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Neto played with Jota at Wolves and were Portugal teammates.

Pedro Neto could miss Chelsea’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras following the death of his fellow Portugal international Diogo Jota.

Liverpool forward Jota, who also played alongside Neto at Wolves, died on Thursday following a car crash in Spain.

Neto did not train following the news and manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will be granted compassionate leave should he want it.

Follow Metro’s live blog for full coverage of Diogo Jota’s death

The Blues face the Brazilian outfit on Friday evening (2am Saturday UK) at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: ‘It’s a very sad day. I struggle to find words because it’s very difficult, the feeling that you have is of helplessness in this kind of situation.

‘The only thing I can say is all my love to his family, the people in this moment. It’s a big tragedy for them.

‘In terms of Pedro it is very sad, probably more than sad.

‘It’s completely Pedro’s decision. I had a chat with Pedro and we support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one.

‘It doesn’t matter if he’ll be on the pitch or not. We’ll see how he is feeling but, in any case, we’re going to support him.’

The game could see Chelsea come up against the teenage Brazilian forward Estevao Willian, who is due to join them after the tournament.

The highly-rated 18-year-old agreed a move to Stamford Bridge last year and the current competition in the United States is his final assignment with Palmeiras.

Maresca said: ‘When we prepare for games, we prepare thinking about the team, not the players that are on the other side, and we have done exactly the same in this game.

‘We prepare for the game against Palmeiras, not against Estevao. In this moment he is a Palmeiras player.

‘We don’t care if in the future he will be with us when this competition is finished. The only thing we are focused on is doing our best to try to beat Palmeiras.’

Can Joao Pedro play for Chelsea vs Palmeiras

Chelsea have a fitness doubt over Romeo Lavia due to a muscular injury and fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended.

Forward Joao Pedro could make his debut after completing his £60million move from Brighton earlier this week.

Maresca said: ‘Joao’s situation is a bit strange or different because he was on holiday. Even if he was working it is not the same when you work for yourself, compared with when you work with the team.

‘But we are very happy with Joao. In the last two days he worked with us. We’ll see if we need him and if we have a chance to give him some minutes we’re going to give him some minutes.’

He was a thorn in Benfica’s side in North Carolina.

He was a thorn in Benfica’s side in North Carolina.

Bruno Lage was full of praise for two key Chelsea players ahead of the Club World Cup last 16 clash (Picture: Getty)

Benfica boss Bruno Lage has singled out two key Chelsea players for praise ahead the Club World Cup last 16 tie.

The form…

‘He is doing well, but no doubt he can do better.’

The west London derby is back!

The west London derby is back!