Chelsea will win the title under Jose next year, says Carvalho

TITLE TIP ... Ricardo Carvalho

RICARDO CARVALHO insists Jose Mourinho will win the title with Chelsea next season.

The former Blues defender played his final game for Mourinho as Real Madrid beat Osasuna 4-2 at the Bernabeu yesterday.

And the Portuguese ace, who is now set to join French side Monaco, confirmed that Mourinho IS heading back to Stamford Bridge after three years in the Spanish capital.

Carvalho, 35, said: “I am certain that Jose can bring the good times back for them.

“He did it when we first went there in 2004 and he will do it again in 2013.

“For the last two years Manchester United and City have been at the top of the league in England.

“But I’m sure Chelsea will improve when Jose goes back there. It’s important for them to win the Premier League again and, with Jose in charge, they will do that.”

Mourinho’s reign came to a controversial end as he was cheered and jeered by the Bernabeu faithful.

Hundreds of the club’s hardcore Ultras chanted Mourinho’s name and displayed a banner reading Mou Te Queremos — ‘We want you’.

Another more poetic message read ‘Thanks for fighting against the wind and the tide’.

Yet songs of support were generally drowned out by the whistles of thousands more spectators who are glad to see the back of their divisive Portuguese coach.

It was a fitting end to a turbulentthree-year stay featuring Mourinho’s full repertoire of trophies and tantrums.

Even on his final day in charge he could not resist one last argument as he refused to name World Cup winner Iker Casillas even among his subs despite the absence of regular keeper Diego Lopez.

It was Mourinho’s war with captain Casillas which split the Madrid dressing room and left the coach vulnerable as his team failed to keep pace with Barcelona.

For a man who loves the limelight, Mourinho delayed his appearance until the very last minute, only emerging from the dressing room as the match kicked off to find himself confronted by more than 50 photographers and TV cameramen around the dugout.

Cue instant remonstrations to ref Miguel Angel Perez as Mourinho angrily gestured about the snappers on the pitch with the game already under way.

Mourinho was generally on his best behaviour, hardly leaving his seat as goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Michael Essien, Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon ensured one last win.

When Essien headed home, he left the pitch to hug the man he weirdly refers to as “Daddy”.

Like Mourinho, Essien is heading back to Chelsea at the end of his season’s loan and hopes he has done enough to stay at the Bridge.

There were no grand gestures from Mourinho at the end, just a quick wave and a clap to the Ultras.

But he did issue a statement on the club’s website, reading: “I wish all Madridistas much happiness. I appreciate the support of many fans and respect the criticism of others.

“Again, a lot of joy to all, and good health. Hala Madrid.”

‘Hala Madrid’ means ‘Forward Madrid’.

City-bound boss Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, ended his Malaga reign with a 4-1 defeat at Barca.