Michael Essien has revealed Jose Mourinho told him he was returning to Chelsea as the midfielder celebrated one of his goals for Real Madrid.
The Ghana international, who spent last season working under the Portuguese coach at the Bernabeu, scored the Spanish side’s second goal as Madrid ran out 4-2 winners over Osasuna on the final day of the campaign.
And Mourinho, who signed a four-year deal to return as Blues boss back in June, informed the midfielder of his decision to move back to west London when Essien ran over to the dugout to celebrate with him.
Essien wrote on his Chelsea blog: “When I scored my last goal for Real Madrid on the last day of the season, I ran over to celebrate with him and was expecting him to congratulate me when I hugged him.
“Instead he leaned over and said: ‘See you at pre-season training on 8 July’.
“I found that so funny. I was expecting a pat on the back and thinking about my summer holidays and he surprised me with pre-season – that’s Jose for you.”