Jose Mourinho says he “would love” to have Pedro Neto at Benfica, describing the Chelsea man as “one of the best wingers in the world”. The Portuguese was full of praise for his compatriot as he prepares to make an emotional return to Stamford Bridge when the two teams do battle in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Mourinho preparing for highly-anticipated return to Chelsea
Mourinho is gearing up for a highly-anticipated return to his old stomping ground when Benfica take on Chelsea in Europe’s premier club competition. The 62-year-old managed the Blues between 2004 and 2007 and again between 2013 and 2015, lifting eight major honours including three Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
AdvertisementSpecial One hails compatriot Neto as one of the world's best
While Mourinho has cheekily expressed his delight over Chelsea forward Cole Palmer’s planned absence from the game, the former Inter and Real Madrid manager has equally highlighted Neto as someone who could cause his Benfica side problems on the night.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Mourinho said: “Neto is one of the best wingers in the world. 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.”
Getty Images SportNeto says it would be a privilege to be managed by Mourinho
And while also speaking to the media in the build-up to the match, Neto returned the compliment to Mourinho, telling reporters: "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?”
Portugal winger lifted two trophies in his first season at Chelsea
Neto has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best wingers since moving to England in 2019. The 25-year-old, known for his pace and directness, scored 14 goals in 135 games in all competitions for Wolves before joining Chelsea for £54 million (€62m/$72.5m) in 2024. In his first full season at the club, Portugal international Neto scored nine goals in 51 games as Enzo Maresca’s men lifted both the Conference League and the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in 2024-25.
