Mourinho: I shall return

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has vowed to one day return to the Barclays Premier League.

The Portuguese tactician left the club by mutual consent on Thursday and has been replaced by Avram Grant.

"Yes, for sure I want (to)," he said when asked if he would return to England. "I don't want it in my next step. I don't want to leave Chelsea and go immediately to another door. I think my next step must be another country, must be another experience, another football.

"But I am 44, I hope I have many years in front of me. I love English football and I don't change a single word I've said before."

salt and pepper

Mourinho also had kind words for journalists and rival managers.

"The English press, if you understand their philosophy, it was very funny to play their game. Salt and pepper every day," he said.

"Other managers, great people, top people. Very supportive and very nice to me. In football terms, a fantastic period of my career. I want to be back but not the next step."

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Mourinho's departure is a loss for the English game.

He said: "Jose leaving Chelsea is a disappointment for the game. He brought something fresh and new and I enjoyed the competition with him. I will miss the personal challenge.

"He enjoyed unparalleled success at Chelsea and it will be a big test for whoever replaces him. At the moment that person is Avram Grant."

Chelsea 0-0 Blackburn

A dogged Blackburn rearguard action held off Chelsea's challenge as Jose Mourinho's men could only draw 0-0 at Stamford Bridge to keep Arsenal top of the Premier League.

The Gunners' 3-1 comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur had taken them to the top of the table as they profited from Liverpool's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth. Manchester United kept in touch with a somewhat fortunate 1-0 win at Everton.

French Winger Florent Malouda Adapting To Life At Chelsea -
Malouda Enjoying Exciting Challenge In English Game

Chelsea's French winger Florent Malouda has claimed that he is gradually settling down in the Premiership.

The 27-year-old, who joined Jose Mourinho's side from Ligue 1 champions Lyon for £13million in the summer, has played in the Blues' all five Premiership matches so far and is relishing his stint.

"I am fine at Chelsea. I am still in an adaptation period. But that does not surprise me," he told L'Equipe.

"It's not all roses - there are some difficulties. At first, there is very strong competition. Moreover, it is another culture. I have to swallow that.”

"But I am happy, It is a new and exciting challenge. It is really great to be in this situation, with a lot of expectations around you. That gives me responsibilities and I love that."

Summer 2007 Chelsea Transfers Confirmed

In:

Steve Sidwell (Reading, free), Danny Philliskirk (Oldham, undisclosed), Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich, free), Tal Ben Haim (Bolton Wanderers, free), Florent Malouda (Lyon, undisclosed), Juliano Belletti (Barcelona, Undisclosed), Alex (PSV Eindhoven, Free)

Out:

Geremi (Newcastle United, free), Khalid Boulahrouz (Sevilla, season loan), Yves Makaba-Makalamby (Hibernian, free), Michael Mancienne (QPR, season-long loan), Nuno Morais (Apoel Nicosia, undisclosed), Jimmy Smith (Norwich City, season loan), Ben Sahar (QPR, loan), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes, released), James Russell (Stevenage, Free), Adrian Pettigrew (Brentford, Loan), Ryan Bertrand (Oldham Athletic, Loan), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid, Undisclosed), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth, Undisclosed), Harry Worley (Carlisle, Loan), Lassana Diarra (Arsenal FC, Undisclosed).