LONDON: Jose Mourinho (pictured) admits he does not consider Chelsea to be among the favourites to win the Champions League.
The Premier League club have already qualified for the knockout stages and will qualify at the head of Group E if they beat Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge in their final group game.
That will move Chelsea manager Mourinho one step closer to becoming the first manager to win the competition with three different clubs have lifted the trophy with FC Porto an Inter Milan.
But the Portuguese insists Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the leading contenders this season with his own club one of a number who he considers to be outsiders.
“I think our chances, this season, which is my first season, are not comparable with the chances other clubs have,” said Mourinho.
“I think other clubs have completely different stability, squads, evolution of the team to be considered the favourites to win the competition.
“We have reached the last 16. If we reach the quarter-final, which is the next step, every team in the quarter-final has a chance to win it.
“But in my analysis, I think we are not considered one of the favourites to win the competition.
“In my opinion, my favourites are Bayern - European champions and a top club, with the same players and a new manager, same team and team, unbelievable stability.
“They won it last year, were in the final the year before, in a final in 2010. Fantastic stability in this level. Barcelona. Real Madrid. And these three teams are, clearly in terms of potential and responsibilities, in front.”
Mourinho added: “But I could say other teams are very strong. And one of these teams arrive in the last eight, anything can happen. These teams are obviously Manchester City, Man United, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea... there is a group of teams that arrive in there.
“But we are still in the first phase. The last 16, we will find some difficult matches because some important teams will finish second.”
Chelsea will face Steaua on the back of a 3-2 defeat at Stoke City and having conceded six goals in their last two games.AFP
