Mourinho calls Chelsea star “one of the best wingers in the world” – fans may not agree | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge for a press conference ahead of managing his new team Benfica against Chelsea tonight was a real love in.

He kept talking about how he was a “Blue” and pulling all sorts of PR tricks to remind everyone how loved he still is at the club.

Mourinho praises Neto

Pedro Neto in Chelsea’s press conference. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

One part of that came as specific praise for a player – fellow Portuguese Pedro Neto. Mourinho lavished praise on his countryman:

“Neto is one of the best wingers in the world,” Mourinho said.

“Enzo Maresca is privileged because he has three, four players of a similar profile. Of course, I would love to have Pedro Neto at Benfica, but he’s playing in a different reality with a different finances.”

We’re fans of Neto – he has a lot to offer. But we’d be lying if we said he thought he was one of the best wingers in the world. We’re not sure he’s even among the best in the Premier League. He has some great qualities, but a long way to go as well.

Neto returns the favour

Conveniently, Neto was taking Chelsea’s player presser, and he in turn lavished praised on Mourinho:

“You cannot have a divided opinion on him [Mourinho]. What he did for Portugal, what he did for Portuguese people, what he has won.

“People in Portugal respect him a lot and know the value that he has. Benfica hired him for that reason. He is one of the biggest names in Portugal with [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Luis] Figo. It would be a privilege to be managed by Jose Mourinho, who wouldn’t want to be managed by him?”

It’s hard to see that happening, apart from maybe at international level where Mourinho has long planned to take over the Portugal job.