Ten players who peaked under Jose Mourinho’s management

José Mourinho has managed some of the greatest players in modern football, shaping careers and helping individuals reach their peak performance levels. From his early Chelsea days to his spells in Italy, Spain, and England, several players delivered their best football under his management. Here are ten players whose careers peaked during their time under Mourinho.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo played under José Mourinho at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. During that time, he scored 168 goals in 164 appearances across all competitions, the most prolific three-year spell of his career.

Under Mourinho, Ronaldo’s role became even more goal-focused. In the 2011–12 season, he scored 60 goals as Real Madrid won La Liga with a record 100 points and 121 goals scored.

The combination of Mourinho’s tactical organization and Ronaldo’s finishing made Madrid one of the most dominant teams in Europe.

2. Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard’s peak years at Chelsea coincided with Mourinho’s first stint between 2004 and 2007. Lampard became one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League, combining high goal output with tactical intelligence.

He scored 71 goals under Mourinho and played a central role in Chelsea’s back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006. Lampard was twice named the club’s Player of the Year during that era, and his performances made him a runner-up for the 2005 Ballon d’Or, the highest individual recognition of his career.

3. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba became a key part of Mourinho’s Chelsea system after joining from Marseille in 2004. Known for his strength, work rate, and ability to deliver in crucial games, Drogba thrived under Mourinho’s management.

He scored 73 goals in 186 appearances during Mourinho’s two spells at Chelsea and played a vital role in winning three Premier League titles and two League Cups.

Mourinho trusted Drogba as the focal point of his attack, and the striker’s combination of physicality and leadership made him one of the Premier League’s most effective forwards.

4. Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho followed Mourinho from Porto to Chelsea in 2004 and later reunited with him at Real Madrid. A technically sound and intelligent center-back, Carvalho was instrumental in the defensive solidity that defined Mourinho’s early success.

At Chelsea, he formed one of the strongest defensive units in English football alongside John Terry, conceding just 15 goals in the 2004–05 Premier League season, which remains the record for fewest goals conceded. Under Mourinho, Carvalho won domestic titles in both England and Spain, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most consistent defenders.

5. John Terry

Next is his defensive partner. John Terry’s peak as a player and leader came under Mourinho. The Chelsea captain was the foundation of Mourinho’s defense during his first tenure, helping the club become one of the most difficult teams to beat in Europe.

Terry won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups with Mourinho during the 2000s, and was named the PFA Player of the Year in 2005. Terry followed that up with another title in 2015, when Mourinho brought him back into the side and made him a central figure at Chelsea once again.

Mourinho’s tactical system maximized Terry’s strengths: positioning, leadership, and aerial dominance. The defender’s consistency and influence during Mourinho’s reign set the standard for captains across the Premier League.

6. Wesley Sneijder

Wesley Sneijder’s best season came under Mourinho at Inter Milan in 2009–10. Playing as a central playmaker in Mourinho’s setup, Sneijder orchestrated the midfield as Inter won the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Champions League.

That year, Sneijder finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or voting and was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. His tactical discipline, vision, and ability to deliver in big matches, particularly during the Champions League run, defined the peak of his career.

7. Diego Milito

Diego Milito’s entire career is often summed up by the 2009–10 season under Mourinho at Inter Milan. The Argentine striker scored 30 goals in all competitions, including both goals in the Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

Milito’s movement and ability to finish any small number of chances that came his way suited Mourinho’s counterattacking system perfectly.

That season, he was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and Inter’s Player of the Season. Although his form declined in later years, his performances under Mourinho placed him among Europe’s elite forwards at the time.

8. Nemanja Matić

Nemanja Matić played some of his best football under Mourinho across two different clubs. At Chelsea, he rejoined the club in 2014 and was a central figure in Mourinho’s 2014–15 Premier League-winning side.

Matić’s composure, defensive discipline, and tactical awareness made him a reliable part of Mourinho’s midfield structure. He later reunited with Mourinho at Manchester United, maintaining a regular starting role and helping the team win the Europa League in 2017.

While Matić was never the flashiest player, Mourinho’s system allowed him to become one of the most consistent holding midfielders in Europe during his prime.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimović

The rivalry between St. Pauli and Hansa Rostock is a fierce one, ignited by their political differences. St. Pauli are aligned on the left, while Hansa Rostock are more right wing. Clashes between both sets of fans are common when this game rolls around and it is one of the most intense atmospheres the sport has to offer.

So intense is the rivalry that there has never been a draw between the two sides. The next encounter between these two is sure to be a fiery one.

10. Claude Makélélé

Claude Makélélé was one of Mourinho’s most influential players during the Portuguese manager’s first stint at Chelsea. Operating as the defensive midfielder in Mourinho’s 4-3-3 formation, Makélélé’s positional awareness and ability to break up play became essential to the team’s structure.

Under Mourinho, Makélélé helped Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, setting new defensive records along the way. His role allowed attacking players like Frank Lampard to operate with more freedom, while Chelsea dominated possession and transitions.

Mourinho often credited Makélélé for providing balance to his teams, and the Frenchman’s performances during that period redefined the modern holding midfield role, so much so that the position became widely known as “the Makélélé role.”

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