Jose Mourinho makes interesting comparison between ‘amazing’ Chelsea legends Claude Makelele and John Obi Mikel, both ‘were a pain’ to manage

Add as preferred source on Google

Jose Mourinho has just made an interesting comparison between Chelsea greats Claude Makelele and John Obi Mikel.

Jose Mourinho, who’s currently in charge of Fenerbahce, enjoyed two very successful spells earlier in his career as the Chelsea manager. He won eight major trophies at Stamford Bridge, including three Premier League titles.

A hallmark of his great Blues sides was several top-class central midfielders.

Claude Makelele, who played for the club from 2003-2008, is without a doubt a Chelsea legend for his significant contribution. The Frenchman redefined the position as a defensive midfielder, where he was exquisite in front of the back four. It’s worth remembering that he joined them aged 30, too.

Michael Ballack previously said he loved playing alongside Makelele at Chelsea due to his football intelligence and unselfishness.

As for John Obi Mikel, he was a quality defensive midfielder in his own right who was on Chelsea’s books from 2006-2017. Unlike Makelele, he was an important part of the group that won the club’s first Champions League in 2012.

• READ MORE: Chelsea legend Claude Makelele shares what he absolutely loves about N’Golo Kante

Jose Mourinho makes interesting comparison between Claude Makelele and John Obi Mikel

During an interview on The Obi One podcast, Mourinho made an intriguing comparison between Makelele and Mikel after coaching both of them at Chelsea.

Mourinho said: “John Obi Mikel or Claude Makelele? Two [players] who were a pain in my a— for different reasons.

“One (Mikel) was a young guy who already thought he was the best in the world but he wasn’t. I had to help him become the top player that he was. The old guy (Makelele) knew more about what a ‘number six’ is than me. He knew more than me. Amazing! But he was in the phase of his career where [he would say]: ‘Boss, we have Champions League on Wednesday, can you give me the weekend off?’ Both were amazing.”

Mikel created an incredible story for himself at Chelsea after over a decade of service to the club.

In terms of the Blues’ best ever midfielders, he does still sit behind the likes of Makelele, Frank Lampard and N’Golo Kante.

Mourinho raises a great point that Makelele was already an expert in his field by the time he came to Chelsea, leaving Real Madrid in his very prime.

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia recently said he idolised Makelele after being told as a youngster he played in a similar way. If he can replicate even half of his success, he’ll achieve great things.

The greatest midfielders coached by Jose Mourinho

It’s quite an eye-catching list when you look at the midfielders coached by Mourinho throughout his managerial career to date.

Here is a look at the top central midfielders/defensive midfielders with the most appearances under the Portuguese boss:

There’s a healthy gathering of former Chelsea stars on the table above, including the core of the midfield that helped him collect so many trophies in West London.

Incidentally, Joe Cole once named Chelsea great Mourinho as his favourite ever manager.