Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien has said that former coach Jose Mourinho is a "lovely guy".

Mourinho is leaving Real next month and is expected to return to former side Chelsea, with reports suggesting that the Blues will pay him £250,000 per week.

Essien said that Mourinho is different because he gets close to his players and was also quick to defend the Portuguese's tactics.

"He's a lovely guy, when you work at his side, you really appreciate the kind of person that he is," Essien told his official website.

"He has something that other managers don't. He's really close with his players. He knows how to get the best out of each player, he talks to them.

"The media say that his game is boring, but he always wants to score more goals and earn more points than anybody. I don't know why people say it's boring."

Essien has made 19 league appearances since joining Real on loan.