I was dreaming of Claude Makelele, Gerrard and Frank Lampard in midfield: Jose Mourinho

Gerrard will be joining MLS side, LA Galaxy at end of this season

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that his failure to sign Steven Gerrard in 2005 is one of the biggest disappointments of his managerial career. Mourinho added that the Blues were almost there, but the Englishman decided to stay at Anfield.

Mourinho said: "We did everything to try [to sign him] and it was almost there, I was dreaming of Claude Makelele, Gerrard and Frank Lampard in midfield.

“We were playing in a proper triangle without a number 10 and playing Maka in front of the defenders. Me, Mr Abramovich and [former Chelsea chief executive] Peter Kenyon at that time, we dreamed of that.

Gerrard never told me personally that he would come to Chelsea: Mourinho

Mourinho admitted that Gerrard’s agents were fine with the ex-England international joining the London club.

"His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. But to me personally he never said he would come. Never.”

"He (Gerrard) was always a Red and I think the decision was right."

Liverpool will face Chelsea on Tuesday in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup. This could potentially be one of the last meetings between Gerrard and Chelsea as he will be joining Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Los Angeles Galaxy after the EPL season ends.

Mourinho went on to add that Gerrard is one of the few opponents he has admired over the years.