"MOURINHO IS A FUNNY GUY!" - Omeruo

When Kenneth Omeruo returned to Chelsea training after Nigeria qualified for the World Cup on November 16, David Luiz walked over to the youngster, shook his hand and said: “Well done, welcome to Brazil.’’ This week’s group-stage draw will further focus the minds of those heading to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Luiz’s compatriots, Oscar, Ramires and Willian, also congratulated the 20-year-old centre-half. So did the other players. Omeruo has yet to make his debut for Chelsea but is popular amongst the players and is highly regarded enough by Jose Mourinho to have a shirt, No 59, and a place in training.

Omeruo is being talked of as one of the potential young stars of the tournament. He has had a remarkable year, winning his first cap in January against Cape Verde, winning the Africa Cup of Nations, playing in the Confederations Cup in Brazil and guaranteeing a return with that qualifying success in a rainy Calabar and his 15th cap.

"I’ve been dreaming of playing in the World Cup," said Omeruo. "Playing in the Confederations Cup gave us the desire that we had to be in the World Cup. I’m really looking forward to the draw. If we get England, we will have to prepare our minds right.

"At Chelsea, we are really focused on the club but sometimes Jose makes fun. In a training session last week, I made a wrong pass. ‘If you do that in the World Cup, Nigeria is out!’ Jose said. We were laughing."

He hasn't yet broken into the Chelsea first-team, but the former Standard Liege stand-out has revealed that Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho rates him highly. "The way he talks about me and says 'Kenneth, my friend,' gave me the impression that he actually likes me," Omeruo said. 
"After the Nations Cup when he came in, Mikel told me that Jose asked after me. So I was happy that he recognises me.
"In Nigeria everyone says 'he is the Special One! The Special One' coming close you would know why he's special.
"The players respect him. He knows how to handle players, how he talks to us. The training is the best. It was difficult before, but I'm used to it now"

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