Chelsea chiefs are confident Andre Villas-Boas will have been influenced by Jose Mourinho about returning to Stamford Bridge.
The Porto coach is set to move to Chelsea, having worked there previously under Mourinho.
He will certainly be welcomed with open arms by the players, given how popular a figure he was during his time working at Stamford Bridge under Mourinho.
A Chelsea source told the Daily Star: "All the players got on with Andre when he was there under Jose. They liked him. He was a popular figure.
"But he was really mostly a background figure. When they were at games, he was somewhere else, watching the opposition.
"Apparently he was very thorough in his work, very meticulous.
"There is no doubt that if he arrives at Chelsea he will have come with Jose's blessing.
"He will have talked to Jose about the job, sounded him out."
