Mourinho heading to Chelsea

Jose Mourinho is expected to become Chelsea coach in the next 48 hours – with yet another of his Porto players expressing a desire to join him at Stamford Bridge.

Porto full-back Paulo Ferreira insists he would find any offer to link up with Mourinho in London “difficult to reject”.

He was linked with a move to Chelsea along with team-mates Deco and Costinha, and now joins that pair in speaking out about the prospect of a move.

Mourinho is expected to fly into London today to tie up the loose ends on becoming Chelsea’s new manager following Claudio Ranieri’s departure yesterday, and Ferreira is open to offers.

The 25-year-old said: “I feel good at FC Porto but if the possibility to leave arises then it is logical this hypothesis will come about, if it is good for me and for the club.

“The president [of Porto] said I was not for sale but if the offer is good it will be difficult to refuse.

“All I know [about Mourinho going to Chelsea] is what I’ve read in the newspapers, but I would feel honoured if he wanted me,” he told Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

“I would be very happy if I could work with Jose Mourinho again after two such fantastic years. Let’s see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Ranieri’s representatives are still in discussions with the club concerning a settlement of the remainder of the Italian’s contract.

He is set to receive a pay-off in excess of £6m (€9m) – and is sure to a be a target for other clubs now he is a free agent, with his representative Jon Smith.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, for one, praised the impact Ranieri has had on his career.

Lampard was arguably the most improved player in the league last season and seemed the only man exempt from the Italian manager’s tinkering as he started all 38 league games for the Blues.

“In the three years I’ve been at Chelsea, Claudio has done loads for me,” he said.

“He gave me a chance – and without that, who knows where I’d be. I can’t say enough about him.

“The way I’m playing and how I’ve developed in character – that’s got to be down to him. He is a very honourable and dignified man.

“I respect everything he’s done and I will be talking to him and thanking him.”

Lampard, who scored 16 goals in all competitions for the Blues, admitted his disappointment at the way speculation over Ranieri’s future dragged on virtually all season.

“There is some sadness. It’s a difficult situation but the club is the be-all and end-all.

“Managers and players move on. What’s made it difficult is that it’s lingered over a whole season,” he told The Sun.

Lampard’s agent Steve Kutner told the Press Association that nothing is imminent regarding a new contract.