Exclusive – Jose Mourinho is one of the best gaffers in world football, Joe Cole tells talkSPORT

Jose Mourinho is one of the best managers in the world and will turn things around at Chelsea, Joe Cole has told talkSPORT.

The champions have made a stuttering start to the campaign, having taken just eight points from their opening seven league games.

But former Chelsea midfielder Cole, who enjoyed three successful seasons under Mourinho during the Portuguese’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, still thinks the Blues are the team to beat in this season’s title race.

“Without a doubt he’s the man, he’s one of the best, if not the best gaffers in world football,” Cole told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

"It’s a tough time for Chelsea and it’s hard to put your finger on why they haven’t started as well as last year. But they will be there or thereabouts.”

Mourinho has left out skipper John Terry for four of the club’s previous five games, raising questions about the defender’s ability to compete at the top level.

But Cole insists his former team-mate still has a major role to play at Chelsea.

“With John at this stage of his career, he’s been a credit with how he’s conducted himself having been left out,” said Cole.

“He wants Chelsea to win before he wants John Terry to play well. That’s the man’s character. He’ll be chomping at the bit and will be training hard. Everyone’s made a lot of him being left out but John’s 34, nearly 35. He could realistically play as long as Giggsy but he might need to drop in and drop out.

"He’s going to have a massive influence and will still be the leader in that dressing room. He’ll come back and he was the best defender in the country last season.”