Conte expecting Chelsea fans to welcome Mourinho with open arms

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits it would be fitting if Jose Mourinho is given a warm reception on his return to the club on Sunday.

The 53-year-old Portuguese boss will enter Stamford Bridge for the first time as an opposing manager since Roman Abramovich gave him the axe midway through last season.

Two stints at the Chelsea helm yielded three Premier League titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup for Mourinho, and Conte is expecting Blues fans to give the former favourite plenty of deserved applause.

But the Italian insists there will be no special treatment for the Special One aside from that, and is telling his players the game needs to be about more than the return of their former boss.

“It’s important because we have a very tough game against a strong team like Manchester United, not against Jose Mourinho,” he said.

“It’s important we focus on the pitch, the players and play the game in the right way. When a manager comes back who did a lot of positive things for the club it’s right he gets a good reception, but then when the whistle goes we need to play.

“The players want to win but they have great respect for him and that’s right.

“Whether you play at home or away you must start the game with only one target. I don’t like playing for a draw, that’s not my type of football and I don’t want it.

“When you win it’s important you also produce a good performance. For our fans we want to show our work. We want to play good football, play with good intensity and show the passion and will to win.”