Chelsea: Jose Mourinho praises Esteban Cambiasso ahead of reunion in trip to Leicester City

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has praised Esteban Cambiasso, his "fundamental" star from their time together at Inter Milan, ahead of their reunion during the Blues' visit to Leicester City on 29 April.

The Argentine veteran midfielder was a crucial asset for the Portuguese boss during his tenure at the San Siro, helping the Italian giants to secure Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League silverware in 2010.

But the pair will be on opposing sides for the Premier League fixture in what will be a crucial encounter for the future of both clubs.

Chelsea will try to take another step towards winning the Premier League as victory at the King Power Stadium will put them within three points of the trophy.

Meanwhile, after having won their last four games, Leicester need another victory to consolidate their position out of the relegation zone, with them currently just one point ahead of Sunderland.

And speaking about the reunion with his former midfielder, Mourinho said: "I won the treble with Cambiasso. He was fundamental in my golden team.

"He's one of the players who means a lot to me and he's been phenomenal for Leicester. I am very happy for him.

"Next season, for sure, he will play for Leicester in the Premier League again. We spoke a few times, but not about advice really. He knows what he wants. He's a bright guy. I've not heard from him this week."

Cambiasso has indeed been a key player for Nigel Pearson since his arrival from Inter Milan on a free transfer in the summer of 2014, having scored four goals in 22 starting Premier League appearances.

And the Leicester manager has also claimed he will try to take advantage of the Argentine midfielder's knowledge of Mourinho.

Pearson said: "I would say it is very probable he will. It will be discussed, of course it will. The bottom line is we come up against a side who are very accomplished, who have a lot of talent in there and are in the driving seat in terms of league position.

"We have to make sure we approach the game to give ourselves the best chance of winning it. To do that we have to be at our best knowing they have an awful lot of experience on the pitch and off the pitch in the dugout, on the touchline."