Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has joked that he could try to sign Steven Gerrard on loan next season following the former England captain's departure from Liverpool.

Gerrard has agreed to sign for MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States.

When asked if he would try to persuade Gerrard to stay in the Premier League, Mourinho tells the BBC: "Or perhaps to take him on loan?" — before breaking into laughter.

Mourinho, who tried to sign Gerrard in 2005, says "I'm not happy he leaves. I would love the Premier League to keep always the best players."

—"Or perhaps to take him on loan?

"I would love the Premier League to keep the best players and I believe he has the quality to play for more years."

The Chelsea manager applauded Gerrard off the field when the midfielder was substituted in the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea in the League Cup semifinal on Tuesday.

Mourinho's tongue-in-cheek remark comes after long-serving former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard ended up with Manchester City this season, after an apparent deal with New York City FC seemed to mean his Premier League career was over.?

"I would love the Premier League to keep the best players and I believe he has the quality to play for more years."