Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho heaps praise on 'good guy' Slaven Bilic ahead of West Ham clash

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Jose Mourinho was full of kind words for his opposite number Slaven Bilic ahead of Chelsea's trip to West Ham on Saturday.

Bilic's West Ham side have rattled in 20 goals already this term - only Manchester City have more - with Diafra Sakho, Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and even right-back Carl Jenkinson chipping in.

And when asked on his thoughts of Bilic, the Chelsea boss was quick to compliment the Croat.

Jose Mourinho was full of praise for his opposite number Slaven Bilic ahead of Chelsea's trip to West Ham

Bilic's West Ham side have rattled in 20 goals already this term - only Manchester City have more

Premier League table as it stands

'As a coach, I like a lot,' affirmed Mourinho.

'I have a very good image and a very good idea about him. As a person I don't know him very well but I have the feeling that we could be friends.'

Bilic has made an instant impact at Upton Park, winning away at Arsenal, Liverpool and City in his side's first three away games this season, and with his side currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table, the Blues' boss has been impressed with his managerial style.

'For me, he looks like a guy who is not worried or concerned with his image. He is what he is. He doesn't look political; he looks to me like a football guy,' the Portuguese continued.

'Reading some quotes and interviews, reading his language about matches, he looks to be a good guy, but most important for me is that he's a good coach.'

'For sure, West Ham are doing very well. I think he was lucky to get a good team with a good sense of professionalism coming from Sam [Allardyce] who did very good work there, and I think Slaven is doing a very good job there.'

The Chelsea players celebrate following their 1-0 victory at Upton Park last season

Ramires and Nemanja Matic compete for the ball in training ahead of this weekend's encounter 

Although Jose didn't want to speak about how his side will look to stop Hammers' star man Dimitri Payet, the Portuguese revealed that he was looking forward to facing the Upton Park atmosphere.

'It may be hostile, but what is hostility?'

'In football it's people who support their team. People do what they can against us. It's not real hostility.

'If everything goes well, and even in the street and everything goes well between the supporters and there are no problems in the streets then its fine.'

Mourinho has won on his last two visits to the Boleyn Ground, and with this being his final trip to the famous stadium, he will be looking to secure a winning hat-trick which no doubt will kick-start his side's season.

Brazilian midfielder Willian has been in good form recently for the Blues and he will hope that continues

John Terry will hope to keep his place in the side for the club's final Premier League game at Upton Park