Gerrard, who has served the club for his whole professinal career, announced that he will be joining the Major League Soccer champions, LA Galaxy, once the Reds’ 2014-15 campaign is over- a decision which surprised the Blues boss.
Mourinho revealed he was close to signing Gerrard during his first spell at Stamford Bridge in 2005, but insisted that the English Premier League will miss him if they let him go.
Mourinho joined the home fans in applauding Gerrard when he was substituted during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg.
“I’m not happy he leaves,” the Portuguese told BBC Radio 5 Live of Gerrard. “I would love the Premier League to keep always the best players.
“I think he has more than enough quality to play in the Premier League. In spite [of the fact] he’s my opponent, I feel sorry that he’s leaving.”
Chelsea also saw their long-serving midfielder, Frank Lampard, depart Stamford Bridge at the end of last summer, but he was hired by Manchester City for a successful loan spell, and Mourinho was happy to joke about the possibility of a similar swoop for Gerrard.
Asked if he might try to persuade the Liverpool star to stay in England, the Blues manager replied: “Or to get him on loan.”
It will be recalled that the Reds’ captain, Steven Gerrard, has announced that he would leave Liverpool at the end of this season.
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