José Mourinho will return to old haunts this evening no doubt intent on delivering a flurry of mischievous pre-match mind games to a crammed media conference but, if the Portuguese is seeking to distract the team he once oversaw, his former players will not be swayed. Michael Ballack expressed the sentiments of Chelsea's squad when conceding that it will be a "special occasion" confronting the self-styled Special One. "But now it's another time, with a new coach and new players," said the German. This side has moved on.
There is fondness whenever a player with first-hand experience of the Mourinho era reflects on a glittering period that yielded two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two Carling Cups in a little over three years. Yet, as Saturday's second-half demolition of Gianfranco Zola's West Ham proved, the welcome extended to returning Chelsea heroes rarely extends beyond kick-off at Stamford Bridge. Internazionale will stride out tomorrow 2-1 ahead from the first leg but, regardless of their manager's inevitable and bullish confidence, braced for an awkward evening.
Chelsea will be relieved to hurtle back into this tie with their semi-slump exorcised, this comfortable win having banished the memory of Manchester City's victory here last month and allowing them to refocus on the trophy they crave most of all. The squad contains five European Cup winners – only one of whom, Nicolas Anelka, will definitely be involved tomorrow – but is spurred by a collective desire to break this club's duck in the competition. The fact that Chelsea boast a manager in Carlo Ancelotti who has claimed the trophy twice in his coaching career provides a fillip.
"That's a big plus because, while we have an experienced side, most of the players haven't been able to win the Champions League yet," said Ballack. "So to have a coach who has won it twice is significant. That's why we look up to him and that's why we listen to him and that's why he is here. He has the experience to take us on to that stage. The Champions League is the competition we haven't been able to win, so that's why we are so hungry to do well in it. José won two league titles and that's why he is so popular here. We worked for a long time with him but it's gone now. While it's a special moment to be playing against him, we have to focus on Inter. We put his return to one side. We know what we have to do on the pitch."
Ancelotti scrutinised coverage of Inter's surprise 3-1 capitulation at Catania on Friday evening at Cobham, Mourinho's side having surrendered a lead after Sulley Muntari's dismissal. Although the Chelsea manager – buoyed by the progress made in Ashley Cole's recovery from an ankle fracture – saw Manchester United return to the summit he remains on course for a treble in his first season in English football and it is clear which competition galvanises him most of all.
"The Champions League is my favourite," said Ancelotti. "It's the best competition in the world and the most exciting. There will be pressure around the Inter game but it is about staying calm and, if we play our best, we will win."
His side are potent at present. Ross Turnbull, on league debut for his new club, was hardly troubled on Saturday with the excellent Alex and an assured John Terry offering protection. Scott Parker, a player sold by Mourinho, belted his first goal of the season over the young goalkeeper from distance, though culpability forthat lay more with John Obi Mikel's inability to close down his opposite number as he collected a throw-in. Didier Drogba was not at his best but still bullied his way to two goals, each snaffled with ease. Florent Malouda, employed as an emergency left-back in San Siro, was irrepressible on the wing. The France international will be a thorn in Inter's flank on this form.
West Ham were steadily ground down after the interval and departed with a drubbing – Chelsea hit the woodwork twice as well as plundering their four goals – though their real challenge will be to get something from games against the likes of Wolves, Stoke and Sunderland to come. They are capable of hoisting themselves to safety, particularly given the deficiencies of those below them.
Parker offered former team-mates luck for their challenge ahead, yet his assessment of the European tie was tinged with a wariness of the Mourinho factor. "Everything people see from the outside is exactly what José is like," said the West Ham captain. "His team will go out there knowing exactly what he wants, and knowing every single thing about Chelsea. He's so organised, so it'll be a very tough game." Chelsea beware.
