Jose Mourinho offers words of advice to Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere

Jose Mourinho has warned Jack Wilshere that footballers have a responsibility to be role models after the Arsenal midfielder was pictured smoking a cigarette on holiday.

Images of the England international smoking and drinking at a pool party in Las Vegas sparked controversy after they appeared in the British media last week.

I would just explain exactly that everything they do or wear is part of the kids’ lives

Jose Mourinho

And Chelsea manager Mourinho feels that modern footballers must aim to set a good example to the millions of young people who follow the game.

“What football players do, millions and millions are watching, lots of kids are watching,” Mourinho said.

“I’m not a specialist obviously but I don’t think if a football player smokes one cigar or cigarette with friends in the summer when he is not training – I don’t think it affects his performance.

“What gets affected is that a kid at home says if a top football player can smoke then I can smoke and it is not a problem. It is more a social consequence than a physical consequence.

“Being angry is not a solution but I would just explain exactly that everything they do or wear is part of the kids’ lives. If they smoke, maybe the kids think they do it a lot of times and they will probably do the same.”