Mourinho's ego just keeps growing

If Chelsea win the famous treble this season they're going to have to increase the size of Stamford Bridge just to accommodate their manager's ego.

Jose Mourinho admitted as much ahead of tonight's clash with Liverpool when he was asked to explain why he described himself as something special when he arrived on these shores, fresh from a Final triumph with Porto.

Mourinho is not often embarrassed but laughed nervously before giving his answer.

"I don't know what I meant when I said that," he said. "At that time maybe I said I was something special because I was the European Champion two days before. So I arrived here with my ego big. Now it is even bigger!"

The Chelsea manager has learned quickly about life in this country and we are still learning about him. He has said he will lower his profile a little next season but we will see.

One of his characteristics is that he enjoys being at the centre of things and he will certainly be there again tonight as his team temporarily put aside their Premiership adventure to face a familiar foe in the semi-final of Europe's blue riband competition.

Mourinho said he would be "cool" after tonight's tie, irrespective of the result, a mood he has not always found easy to adopt after earlier Champions League forays, particularly against Barcelona.

"The key is not to panic," he said. "We don't have to think we have to get a result in the first leg here. Even if we don't win, we can win the second game.

"There is no pressure on me. I am a lucky guy because it is the third consecutive year I play in a EUFA competition semi-final and I enjoy it very much.

"I will be very cool tonight."