Chelsea News: Mourinho Dismisses Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as Champions League Favourites

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does not feel that Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are the favourites to win the Champions League this season.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who won the Champions League in 2012/13 and 2013/14 respectively, are again being dubbed as the favourites to win the European crown following their excellent performances in the group stages.

However, Mourinho believes that the Spanish and German giants are not the favourites to win the Champions League this season, insisting that all 16 sides are capable of lifting the prestigious European trophy.

"I don't agree at all that they're favourites, because the Champions League always has space for surprises," Mourinho told UEFA's official website ahead of Chelsea clash against at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

"You go through the last decade and see teams winning the competition who you expect to win, but you also have teams you don't expect to win. You can balance it almost 50-50."

"You have three or four teams people would not be expecting. I really don't know the candidates when it goes to the knockout stage. At the moment there are 16 candidates for me."

Spain striker Diego Costa, who was handed a three-match ban by the FA for Stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can during the Blues' clash against the Reds in the second leg semi-final of the Capital One Cup, is available for his game after successfully serving his suspension.

But Mourinho despite revealing that he will start with Costa, admits that he is a little worried about the Brazil-born striker's sharpness.

"Yes, I will start him, but I don't think it's good for a player to go three matches without starting a game," he added. "I don't think he's in the best condition."

"But at the same time Loic Remy and Didier Drogba played in the last three matches. It's obviously important for them to get minutes and have confidence and I know I have them both ready."

Meanwhile, the 51-year-old Portuguese refused to reveal whether Thibaut Courtois or Petr Cech would be starting in goal against Paris Saint Germain.

"Courtois doesn't know if he will play or not, so I can't tell you. He has to hear it from me, not from the media," added Mourinho.

"But I repeat, Chelsea has the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League, and for me it's an easy job. I'm very happy with both. Every time one plays the team is very confident because they know they have a top goalkeeper."