Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien believes Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho share two similarities in their management techniques.
Essien - who worked under both Ancelotti and Mourinho at Stamford Bridge - revealed their '24/7' relentless attitude towards training and man-management techniques are what set the duo apart.
The 38-year-old, who retired last year, also admitted he was 'not surprised' James Rodriguez decided to re-join Ancelotti at Everton in the summer because of the 'sort of person' the Italian is.
Essien told the Official Everton Podcast : "Mourinho would be on the training pitch 24/7 and Carlo would do the same, telling us what to do, our body positions and things like that.
"We had big players, but sometimes you have to come to the basics to add them into your game. Carlo and Jose are always on the pitch. Always.
"Carlo is similar. The way he would talk to you, he talks to you in a manner that when you go on the pitch, all you want to do is play for him. Him and Jose have that in common."
Rodriguez has six goals and nine assists in 25 appearances for Everton this term and Essien insisted it would be difficult for any player to turn down the opportunity to work with Ancelotti again.
He said of the Rodriguez transfer from Real Madrid: "I was not surprised.
"If you've worked with Carlo before, anywhere he goes and he calls you, you can't always say no, because you know the sort of manager, the sort of person he is.
"I was not surprised James accepted to go to Everton because as you can see, he has been fantastic for the team and for Everton."
