Jose Mourinho, the man forever etched into Chelsea’s golden era, couldn’t hide his admiration for the Blues after their thrilling 2-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Portuguese icon – who delivered three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy across two stints in West London – delivered a glowing tribute to a club he still considers “home.”
“Chelsea is a team I know inside out,” Mourinho said, visibly emotional as he reflected on the occasion. “You rarely see them fall to the biggest clubs; they always rise in finals and decisive matches. Tonight’s win over Liverpool is another strong proof of that mentality.”
The victory, secured by teenage sensation Estêvão Willian’s last-gasp strike, did more than just lift Chelsea into the top four – it re-ignited talk of their potential title credentials under Enzo Maresca. For Mourinho, watching on from Turkey where he now manages Fenerbahçe, the triumph carried echoes of the relentless spirit that defined his Chelsea sides two decades ago. His comments came almost exactly 20 years after his arrival at Stamford Bridge, a tenure that transformed the Premier League’s competitive landscape.
The match itself showcased all the qualities Mourinho lauded. Moisés Caicedo opened the scoring with a thunderous long-range effort before Mohamed Salah pulled Liverpool level in the second half. But when the pressure was highest, Chelsea’s young guns delivered. In the 95th minute, Cole Palmer slipped in Estêvão, who finished with icy composure to spark wild scenes in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Mourinho singled out the psychological resilience of Maresca’s men, pointing to what he famously called the “Chelsea DNA.” “I’ve won everything with them, and the common thread is hunger. You can see it in the eyes – the belief when the stakes are highest. That’s what separates contenders from champions. Maresca has tapped into it.”
It wasn’t just the scoreline that impressed. Marc Cucurella’s dogged marking of Salah earned widespread acclaim, with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both echoing Mourinho’s praise for the Spaniard’s rebirth. Alejandro Garnacho, the summer arrival from Manchester United, added another layer of threat with his fearless wing play, capping the performance with an assist for Estêvão’s winner.
For Liverpool, the defeat deepens an uneasy pattern under new boss Arne Slot, with three losses in five games now raising questions about their consistency. Slot himself admitted his side lacked the ruthless edge needed to finish off Chelsea when on top: “We dominated for spells but couldn’t kill it. Chelsea showed why mentality is everything at this level.”
Mourinho’s words carry weight because of his unique bond with Stamford Bridge. Even during his 2023 return with Roma, he received a standing ovation from Chelsea supporters who still chant his name. Now, watching a new generation rise, he believes the signs are clear: “They’ll be there at the business end. Mark my words.”
Chelsea’s resurgence under Maresca is far from complete, but nights like these suggest the foundations are strong. The Special One’s endorsement may not win points on the table, but it fuels belief that the club’s identity – thriving in the toughest moments – is alive and well. For Chelsea fans, the message from their most decorated manager was simple: the big-game mentality is back.
