Jose Mourinho admits it was hard to watch Chelsea struggle under Todd Boehly, ahead of his emotional return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica

Mourinho is set to make an emotional return to Stamford Bridge when Benfica face Chelsea in

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“Chelsea. Abramovich’s Chelsea, my Chelsea, the Chelsea we built and lasted for many years, was a winning club,” Mourinho said.

He reflected on the club’s past dominance: “It was winning everything with me and then with Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea was a winning machine. Every season, Chelsea was winning.”

Mourinho then criticised the post-Abramovich era: “Then there was a big change with crazy investment and a period of a few years where it looked like they lost direction – with too many players, too many millions, accumulation of players and a team without a clear philosophy. For a couple of years, it was hard. For one that loves the club, it was hard.”

The Portuguese manager’s comments highlight both his enduring connection to Chelsea and the turbulence the club has faced in recent years.