Mourinho's all time greatest XI

Defensive midfielder: Esteban Cambiasso

Cambiasso was assured on the ball

In his autobiography, Sir Alex Ferguson dedicated a chapter to Mourinho, describing his methods and success. In one passage, he broke down Inter Milan's famous victory against one of the finest club sides ever assembled:

'(Mourinho) had weapons of his own, mainly concentration and positioning. Esteban Cambiasso...was a vital component in that Inter team. If Messi appeared over here, so would Cambiasso. Should Messi pop up in another area, Cambiasso was there as well. It sounds easy, but as part of a general team plan in which all the defensive duties would connect, it was marvellously effective'.

Mourinho's reputation as a defensive coach comes from his preference for two defensively-sound midfielders to play in front of the back four. That's the system this team will play, and it's inevitable that Cambiasso will fill one of these berths. Man marking Messi is an impressive calling card in itself, but Cambiasso was also another ever-present player in that Inter Milan team, recycling possession and spraying passes from the base of midfield.

Defensive midfield: Claude Makelele

Makelele in Mourinho's final full season

In his last two jobs, 6'4" Nemanja Matic has been Mourinho's man at the base of the midfield, using his frame to bully opposition number tens. This team, however, will utilize two more diminutive figures who were no less voracious in their efforts to regain possession.

Makelele was the original N'golo Kante, to the extent that the role is informally named after him. In the 2004-05 season, Mourinho's finest in England, he declared Makelele Chelsea's player of the season, which tells you everything you need to know about his importance to their set up.

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