Jose Mourinho fuming after Chelsea manager is secretly recorded questioning age of Samuel Eto'o: 'He is 32 years old, maybe 35, who knows?'

French TV channel Canal Plus published an interview with Mourinho in which he questions the age of striker Eto'o

Jose Mourinho is reported to be furious that off-the-record quotes were released by a French television channel (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is reported to be fuming that a light-hearted off-the-record comment made to a French TV channel has been made public, with the Portuguese heard to be questioning the age of Blues striker Samuel Eto’o as well as stating his interest in Monaco forward Radamel Falcao.

Mourinho goes on the attack: 'You should be embarrassed'

Mourinho was preparing to speak to Canal Plus when he was filmed speaking to a Swiss businessman during a recent sponsor’s event, with the recording being made public on Monday. The footage was captured before Mourinho took part in a one-on-one interview with the TV channel, and he can be seen admitting his problems up front due to the current lack of depth in the position at Stamford Bridge.

The 51-year-old also went on to question whether Eto’o was 32 years old, like he says, and although the comment was made tongue-in-cheek, it could spark problems between the two within the Chelsea squad.

“The problem with Chelsea is I lack a striker,” said Mourinho, elaborating on his side’s lack of goals coming from Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. “I have Eto'o but he is 32 years old, maybe 35, who knows?”

Mourinho is said to be furious that the quotes were made public without his knowledge, with Tuesday papers featuring his words splashed across the back pages.

He has spoken previously of his intention to work with Falcao despite the Colombian only joining the Ligue 1 club last summer, and was captured admitting that he needs a striker and Falcao needs a new club.

“I need a striker, Falcao needs a club,” Mourinho reportedly continued.

“A player like him cannot play in front of 3,000 people. Monaco is a club to end (your career with).”

The revelations come ahead of Chelsea’s important Champions League last-16 first leg encounter with Galatasaray on Wednesday, when Mourinho wil come up against the striker he relied on to fire his former Chelsea side to victory in Didier Drogba.

The 35-year-old Ivorian is a close friend of Mourinho’s, but the Blues manager has insisted that all friendships will be put aside when they face each other in Turkey on Wedensday – and again in London on March 18.