Michael Essien is still insisting on publicly referring to Jose Mourinho as his dad.

The Chelsea midfielder, on-loan at Mourinho’s Real Madrid, spoke out to explain why he sees the Special One as a father figure last September. And he’s still doing it.

Ahead of tonight’s Champions League match against Manchester United, Essien told AS.com: “My father has given me the opportunity to be here and I’m enjoying every minute of being here. I’ll work hard for the team to win.

“Mourinho is smiling. He’s always content and always happy. He’s always working hard and helping us a lot with everything that he says. I’ve never seen him sad.”

Emotional stuff.