Jose Mourinho is open to the idea of Premier League matches being played in the United States after Chelsea's friendly against Paris Saint-Germain drew a big crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chelsea beat PSG 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the International Champions Cup in front of a crowd of 61,224 at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.
Chelsea may reportedly have to leave their Stamford Bridge home for three seasons while it undergoes a radical redevelopment, and Mourinho believes the level of support for the game in the U.S. could allow his side to potentially play competitive fixtures there in future.
Before heading off to the airport the players spend some time signing autographs and meeting fans... #CFCTour pic.twitter.com/oRWmdKuZEz
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 26, 2015
"Maybe when we don't have Stamford Bridge for a couple of years we can come here and play a couple of matches in the Premier League," Mourinho said after the game.
"We know the support is fantastic."
Mourinho praised the crowd after his side's win over PSG, and says he is noticing a growth in interest in the game from U.S. fans year on year.
"I think it's not normal to bring 60,000 fans to a friendly match," the Portuguese coach added.
"The people gave us an atmosphere that is not normal in a friendly match. This is a match where you are not obsessed with the result, we just want to train. The people made this a big atmosphere and we thank you a lot for that."
He added: "I see the passion and I see the difference [from previous U.S. trips] when I walk in the street when me and my players go for a walk after dinner.
"Ten years ago it was paradise, and it is not paradise anymore.
"I think people know the players and the managers, so the passion is coming... every year I come for preseason I see a difference."