User blog comment:FairyRaven/Fairy Tail Chapter 416: Tartarus Arc: Final Part, Review and Commentary/@comment-112.198.90.159-20150119173643/@comment-7418318-20150119194228

Almost as strong? Sorry but I think you're dreaming here.

Jose was summoning an entire army of shades and still flipped Erza around without any sign of effort. Sure she was exhausted and hurt, but considering just how effortlessly he took care of her I can't imagine Erza being anywhere near his strength back then even when fully healed and rested.

Jose wasn't named a Wizard Saint for nothing.