Jose Mourinho has confessed that he does not believe Chelsea are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this season.
The Blues have already secure qualification for the last 16 and will top Group E if they beat Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge in their final group game.
Progression into the knockout stages means Mourinho will be ever closer to becoming the first manager to win Europe’s premier club competition with three different clubs, have previously lifted the trophy with FC Porto and Inter Milan.
However the Portuguese manager feels that Chelsea are not one of the main contenders; trailing in the wake of the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"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."
The Chelsea manager did however acknowledged that the three favourites are being chased down by a hungry group of teams.
He 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 face Steaua having lost 3-2 at Stoke City in the Premier League and conceded six goals in their last two games.
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