BACK AT THE BRIDGE

THE Special One, Jose Mourinho, will be back at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday when his Benfica span clashes with Chelsea.  

It was upon Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004 that he proclaimed himself the “Special One” and although that sheen has worn away two decades on, his return to the Bridge at 9pm for a Champions League clash is a big one for Blues fans.

The club, though, is looking to cash in on the hype, setting top-tier ticket prices even though Mourinho’s Benfica aren’t really the grootste team in Europe. 

Claiming he is more “humble” these days, current Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca reckons Mourinho’s still got it. 

Maresca said of his opposite number ahead of Tuesday's clash: “It will be a privilege to face Jose… 

“A legend for this club.” 

Of his return, Mourinho wysed: “‘I am going to see my son, because he is there. In this moment I have my wife and daughter in Portugal. 

“My son is in London so the best thing there is to go and see him, and if possible to bring the points that we lost against Qarabag...

“If the fans are great to me, then great. If they are not, that’s fine and no problem but I am happy to be back.”

Chelsea lost their first Champions League match of the season 3-1 to Bayern Munich, while Benfica went down 3-2 to Qarabag. 

Tuesday's Champions League fixtures:

Kairat v Real, Atalanta v Brugge (both 6.45pm), Marseille v Ajax, Inter v Slavia Praha, Galatasaray v Liverpool, Pfos v Bayern, Bodo/Glimt v Spurs, Atletico v Eintracht Frankfurt (all 9pm)