Jose still the Special One - Carvalho

Betfacts / Editor / 10 June 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho claims manager Jose Mourinho is still the best man to bring silverware to Stamford Bridge next season.

Portugal international defender Carvalho, 29, was handed a new five-year deal last season and insists he wants to continue working under Mourinho, the man with whom he won the Champions League during their time together at Porto.

Chelsea lost their two-year grip on the Premiership title to Manchester United last season and are trading at 2.66 on Betfair's "Barclays Premiership - Winner 2007/08" market, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men just ahead on 2.64.

Carvalho told the News of the World: "All my team-mates are convinced Jose should stay, with or without trophies.

"Chelsea have lived the best moments in the club's history with Mourinho on the bench - and that should be the key for the directors.

"Mourinho is a very important figure in my career. He is a demanding person but very professional."

Mourinho's future was the subject of intense speculation last season before chief executive Peter Kenyon insisted he would see out his deal.

Kenyon said in April: "Jose's got a contract until 2010 and we're not going to sack him.

"He's got the full support of the board, that's really important."