'This season best of all' - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has described this season as the best of his time at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea secured back-to-back Premiership titles before the current campaign, but it is their response when faced with adversity this season that has most impressed their coach.

Mourinho said: "This season has been the best of all because we have had to overcome some incredible problems. It's been unbelievable what we've suffered because of injury problems this season, and look what we're still managing to do."

High-profile signings Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack were criticised for struggling to adapt to English football and key players such as John Terry and Petr Cech suffered injuries, yet Chelsea are still in the hunt for the Quadruple.

Mourinho's relationship with owner Roman Abramovich has been reportedly strained this season, adding another dimension to the comments from the former Porto boss.

Chelsea face Blackburn in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday and also have a clash against Liverpool in the last four of the Champions League to look forward to, a tie set up by Michael Essien's dramatic winner in Valencia on Tuesday.

Mourinho has taken the plaudits for the recent run of form. He is contracted to the club until 2010 and has stated his intention to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season.

Speaking in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, he played down speculation linking him with a summer move to Real Madrid. He also hinted at joining another Premiership club in the future.

"I don't want my name linked with Madrid or with any other club because I want to stay with Chelsea," he said. "I've got a contract until 2010 and I want to carry on. If I have to leave for some reason or because someone wants me to... that's life in soccer.

"And, if I leave, I want to keep coaching next season at another European club. I like English soccer and I'd like to coach another club in the Premiership but not now. I don't imagine leaving Chelsea and going straight to another English club. It would be a very strange situation and I don't want it to happen."