Chelsea have a number of club legends who have gone down as Premier League icons, however former manager Jose Mourinho had one player who he believed was the best in the world in his position.
The likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are seen as some of the best to ever do it, with Mourinho utilising the trio in both of his stints in charge of the club.
The Portuguese boss brought the first league title to Stamford Bridge in 50 years, and had a reliable set of players who regularly featured in back-to-back winning campaigns.
Jose Mourinho looks on ahead of UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona vs Chelsea
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Jose Mourinho thought Paulo Ferreira was the world’s best right-back while at Chelsea
Paulo Ferreira made 74 appearances in all competitions for the Blues in those two seasons, and would add another Premier League title to his personal collection following the 2009/10 season.
The right-back was brought in off the back of an underwhelming Euro 2004 campaign, leaving many doubting if it was the signing Chelsea needed to take them to the top in England.
Soon into his Stamford Bridge career though, he had proven to be a crucial part of what would turn out to be the best defence the league had ever seen, and Mourinho had big praise for who he described as ‘the world’s best right-back’.
He said to Sky Sports in 2004: “The boy never gets injured, which means he consistently plays around 60 games a season, no problem. For me this makes him the world’s best right back – which is why I signed him for Chelsea.
“Paulo will never get a mark of 10 out of 10 in a game or even nine, but neither will he ever get below a seven or an eight.”
Paulo Ferreira battles for the ball during Chelsea V Manchester United, Premier League
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Paulo Ferreira’s return to Chelsea after retirement
Ferreira’s contract was not renewed at the end of the 2012/13 season, a campaign where he had only made two Premier League appearances.
He would not play for another club in his career, however would be back at Stamford Bridge as he started his post-playing work in the game.
The former right-back would become an ambassador of the club, as well as working in the role of loan player technical coach.