Chelsea fans were rather excited when Jose Mourinho returned in 2013.

The self-proclaimed 'Special One' had stalked the technical area at Stamford between 2004 and 2007, enjoying great success in west London and winning two Premier League titles.

Supporters were sad to see him leave near the beginning of his fourth campaign with Mourinho moving on to spells with Inter Milan and eventually Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Chelsea rattled through managers with Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto di Matteo and Rafael Benitez all trying their hand.

When Mourinho's tenure in Spain came to an end, though, the time was right for Mourinho to make his return in an attempt to recoup the Premier League trophy.

His first season was a matter of consolidation, securing a solid third place finish while Manchester City and Liverpool contested the title.

It was a solid return considering the change at the club in the summer of 2013 with Mourinho issuing no less than 15 outgoings during his first few months in charge.

Five years on and their careers have taken very different paths. That considered, take a look at what happened to the players who felt the wrath of Mourinho before he got started.

Florent Malouda

Once an integral member of the Chelsea squad, Malouda was a spent force by the time Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge. He now plies his trade in Luxembourg with FC Differdange after time with Trabzonspor, Metz, Delhi Dynamos and Wadi Degla.

Samuel Bangura

Second player in and some destructive consequences from being released by Chelsea. The Sierra Leone defender never made a huge impression in the Blues' academy, going almost two years without a club before moving to English seventh division side FC Marlow.

Walter Figueira

Another failed prospect in the Chelsea academy and another member of the summer clear-out. After leaving west London, he plummeted down to non-league football immediately and now turns out for Dulwich Hamlet.

Tom Howard

A once promising member of Chelsea's youth system, Howard had one of the more unusual destinations when he left. The 23-year-old signed for Merstham FC of the Isthmian League after a brief loan spell with - of all teams - the Met Police.

Paulo Ferreira

Something of a cult hero by the time his Chelsea career came to an end, Ferreira saw out his time at the club with Europa League victory. The Portuguese took the decision to retire upon his release but has continued his association with the club, working as assistant loan player technical coach.

Nortei Nortey

It's fair to say Mourinho and the club didn't have much time for some of these young players in 2013. Ever since his fall from the top, Nortey has plied his trade in the lower leagues with the likes of Solihull Moors, Wrexham and now Dover Athletic.

Ismael Seremba

Undoubtedly one of the stranger career paths since leaving Chelsea, the London-born midfielder jetted off to the United States when he was released. However, he would eventually turn his back on football after two years with Akron Zips.

Amin Affane

On the brink of making a breakthrough in the first-team, this Swedish prospect was released by Chelsea upon Mourinho's arrival. He now enjoys his football back in Sweden with IFK Goteborg and has accumulated caps for the country's youth teams.

Ross Turnbull

Part of the furniture at Stamford Bridge for many years, Turnbull was the staple back-up 'keeper at the club between 2009 and 2013. After being released from Leeds United in 2017, he turned his hand to coaching and now works with Hartlepool United.

Archange Nkumu

Sadly there was no first-team appearance in the offing for Nkumu after almost a decade in the Chelsea youth ranks. Another player to drop down to non-league, he initially signed for Concord Rangers before a remarkable move to Iceland's Knattspyrnufelag Akureyrar.

Aziz Deen-Conteh

Another Chelsea youngster, another release and another spell with Dover Athletic. The Sierra Leone prospect was originally moved on to Greece with Ergotelis, before heading to Kent via Moldova and Georgia.

Yossi Benayoun

Despite experiencing a resurgence in game-time under Benitez, Mourinho didn't entertain the idea of keeping Benayoun. He has moved around his native Israel - currently playing for Maccabi Petah Tikva - since a brief stint with Queens Park Rangers.

Jesse Starkey

There's something about Chelsea academy prospects gravitating towards the Isthmian League after they leave the club. In the case of Starkey, he pulls on the shirt of Worthing week in, week out after failing to make an impression in the Football League.

Anjur Osmanovic

The final man on Mourinho's hit-list, the central midfielder never made a breakthrough at Chelsea and swiftly returned to Sweden after his exit. Sadly, however, he has enjoyed little success in Scandinavia either and finds himself in the third division.

Jeffrey Bruma

Just the four senior appearances for Bruma in the end and it could have been so many more. He initially moved PSV Eindhoven, collecting two Eredivisie titles and earning caps for the Netherlands, before switching to Wolfsburg.