Michael Essien has said that the love and understanding of Jose Mourinho was one of the reasons that he joined Real Madrid.

The Ghanian made the season-long loan switch to the La Liga champions on transfer deadline day after a phonecall from the Portuguese manager.

"Everything happened so fast," Essien said. "I was in the hotel when Mourinho called and said that he was ready to take me.

"Mourinho's call was more than enough to convince me to come here. I just wanted to play football. He called me and I said yes.

"I see him as a father because he was the one who took me to Chelsea. I know him very well and I love him too - we have a very good relationship, we understand each other."

Essien was named in the Real squad to face Granada this evening.