'I am not a Blue now' - Jose Mourinho fires warning to Chelsea ahead of Champions League reunion with Benfica

Mourinho established himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever managers across two successful periods with Chelsea. In his first spell at the club, the 62-year-old led the west Londoners to six major honours between 2004 and 2007, including two league titles and one FA Cup. And after spells with Inter and Real Madrid, Mourinho made an emotional return to Chelsea in 2013, guiding them to another league title before departing in 2015.

However while he acknowledges that Chelsea will always be “home”, Mourinho is planning to keep his emotions in check when he returns to the Stamford Bridge touchline with Benfica.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match on Tuesday, Mourinho said: "I am feeling home. I already played here with Spurs, Manchester United and Inter. But I am not a Blue now. I am Red. And I want to win. I am expecting two teams wanting to win. Chelsea will only play for a victory, especially after losing the first game [against Bayern Munich]. We will have to defend well to win the game. Our tactical approach is to try and win the game.

"We have Chelsea, Real Madrid and Newcastle in this competition [the Champions League]. All these games are hard. So tomorrow we have to chase the points. Our Champions League fixtures are harder than Chelsea's games.”

And despite his presence in the opposing dugout, Mourinho is confident his trophy-laden spells at Chelsea will ensure he will not be jeered by supporters, adding: "I don't think Chelsea fans will boo me. At least when I am on the street they ask me for selfies and pictures.”

One man who will miss Mourinho’s return to Chelsea will be Cole Palmer as the Blues forward spends a short period on the sidelines in an attempt to overcome the groin injury which has plagued his 2025-26 season so far. And when asked what he thought about Palmer’s planned absence ahead of his return with Benfica, Mourinho issued a cheeky response.

In quotes carried by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Mourinho said following Benfica’s 2-1 Primeira Liga victory over Gil Vicente on Friday: “I'm happy [Palmer will be missing]. My Chelsea team was a winning machine, with a big investment, but a lot of ambition. Then they seemed to lose some direction, and it was tough for those who love the club. Enzo Maresca [Chelsea manager] arrived, and the puzzle is being completed piece by piece, and they won the Conference League. Now I think they have a good, good team, and if Cole Palmer isn't a problem for Chelsea [through injury], that's a big problem for me. If [Heorhiy] Sudakov or [Vangelis] Pavlidis don't play, that's a big problem for me.”

Mourinho has made a promising start following his return to Benfica earlier this month. Having first managed the Lisbon outfit in 2000, Mourinho has guided the club to wins against AVS and Gil Vicente and a draw against Rio Ave in his first three matches in charge. A huge week awaits for Mourinho and Benfica as they travel to fierce rivals Porto on Sunday, five days after their trip to Chelsea. Benfica lost their Champions League opener after they threw away a two-goal lead in their shock 3-2 defeat against Azerbaijani side Qarabag on September 16. Mourinho’s predecessor, Bruno Lage, was dismissed following the result.

Chelsea are also facing a testing week as they entertain leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, four days after facing Benfica. Maresca’s side have made a stuttering start to 2025-26, having won just three of their opening eight games in all competitions. They suffered a 3-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener on September 17.