Blues manager Jose Mourinho has written off Chelsea’s chances of winning the Champions League this season. The Portuguese boss has already claimed he fears his side do not have the firepower to be crowned Premier League champions. Read more after the cut.......
Now he reckons they are way down the list of contenders to win European football’s top club competition as well.
Chelsea are already through to the knockout phase, making tonight’s clash with Group E whipping boys Steaua Bucharest a dead rubber.
But Mourinho, who has lifted the trophy with Porto and Inter Milan, said: “I think our chances this season, which is my first season, are not comparable with the chances other clubs have. Other clubs have completely different stability, squads and evolution of the team to be considered the favourites to win the competition.
“We reach the last 16. If we reach the quarter-finals, which is the next step, every team in the quarter-finals has a chance to win it.
“But, in my analysis, I think we are not one of the favourites to win the competition.
“My favourites are Bayern Munich – European champions and a top club, with the same players and a new manager. Unbelievable stability.
“Barcelona. Real Madrid, too. These three teams are, clearly in terms of potential and responsibilities, in front.”
Mourinho believes Chelsea – along with both Manchester clubs – are among the also-rans, though he never even mentioned Arsenal.
And he didn’t sound too confident about Chelsea’s chance of reaching the last eight either.
The Blues will top the group if they win tonight, but Mourinho added: “In the last 16 we will find some difficulties because some important teams will finish second.
“You can have City, Dortmund. Teams can finish second but could beat any of the first-placed teams, so it’s an interesting competition, as always.”
The Special One’ will rest key players tonight, but con-firmed that forgotten man Ashley Cole will start.
Cole has been kept out of the side by makeshift left-back Cesar Azpilicueta, sparking fears for the England star’s future at Stamford Bridge with his contract running down.
And while Mourinho insists Cole WILL get a new deal, he admits he cannot guarantee that the 32-year-old will ever be a regular again.
Mourinho said: “Can he recover or not 100 per cent his position? I don’t know. But play? He will always play. And he will always be a good player.
“Naturally, he will get his contract because he’s a valuable player for us. I feel he’s fine and I think he’s going to show he’s fine.”
Cole himself was in defiant mood and later tweeted: “7 FA Cups, 3 league titles, an undefeated season. I’m still not done.”
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