Jose Mourinho has revealed that he values footballers from Africa because of their loyalty.

The Portuguese has worked with several African players during his managerial career, including names like Michael Essien, John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, who formed the core of his then Chelsea side.

In a recent chat with Rio Ferdinand, the 61-year-old spoke about the great relationship he had with some of those players, telling FIVE: “I cannot go to Africa.

“Too much everywhere. Because, you know, I had, you know Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast, Geremi – Cameroon, Kalou – Ivory Coast, Obi Mikel – Nigeria, Essien – Ghana, I have guys all around the world.

“Every time I go to Africa I cannot walk. The guys they love me. Even in Europe with many African guys people really loves me. To be honest I love the guys and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.

“Many of them they call me daddy and some of them they are almost my age when when Essien calls me daddy I say “Michael Come on don’t call me daddy, you’re almost my age.”

“But you know this affection exists you know I love the guys I love to work with the African players.

“I think I take the best out of the guys. I think the guys they see me somebody that really loves them and admire their qualities as players and persons I always loved and I always had great response from African players.”