 Chelsea stumbled in the European Cup in 2005 and 2006 |
Former European Cup winner Benni McCarthy has tipped Chelsea to win the Champions League this season. The Blackburn striker played under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese coach led Porto to a 2004 Champions League triumph over Monaco.
"Chelsea are my first favourites to win this season," McCarthy told BBC Sport. "Mourinho has been there and done it.
"Mourinho knows the smallest details of the opposition - that's what he does best and his teams aren't surprised."
 | Maybe Shevchenko hasn't adapted so quickly |
McCarthy, who is still in contact with his former coach, added: "Mourinho is in a league of his own as regards player management and man-to-man management he is fantastic.
"That is why he has already won five cups with Chelsea since he joined the club."
McCarthy came on as a substitute for Porto in their 3-0 win over Monaco at Gelsenkirchen in their 2004 triumph and was a key figure in the Portuguese club's successful European campaign that season.
The South African scored twice against Manchester United when Porto won 2-1 in Portugal, before drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford on their way to the final.
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McCarthy has also been impressed by Chelsea's togetherness in the two Premiership games and a Carling Cup tie he has played against Mourinho's side.
Blackburn lost all three games and failed to score against Chelsea.
"Playing against them I noticed they have absolutely fantastic spirit," said McCarthy, who has scored 10 Premiership goals for Blackburn this season.
"Chelsea are the firm favourites. They're difficult to score against and in Didier Drogba they have the man of the season - everything he does seems to go in. Chelsea are a complete side."
Having drawn their Champions League first leg tie 1-1 with Porto in February thanks to an Andriy Shevchenko's goal, Chelsea are in pole position to reach the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
 McCarthy helped Porto win the European Cup in 2004 |
McCarthy has scored seven more league goals than Shevchenko and the South African believes his better goalscoring record is partly due to his ability to adapt more quickly to life in England.
"I could already speak English and the language barrier was not a problem and South Africa is also very similar to England in many ways.
"Maybe Shevchenko hasn't adapted so quickly - he was used to playing in Italy for so long.
"Italian football is about finding space and getting time on the ball. In England you are pressed all the time and sometimes you don't get a single chance.
"For him the language, the culture and environment must be very different maybe that is why he has been struggling."
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