Deco hails Mourinho mentality

Barcelona midfielder Deco has claimed that Jose Mourinho is Chelsea's best player.

The European giants square up to each other in a massive UEFA Champions League clash this week, with no love lost between the two sides after last year's fiery encounter.

Deco, who played under Mourinho at Porto, has been impressed by The Blues over the last couple of seasons, but believes that their major strength is not their star players, but their manager.

"Every team is a reflection of their coach and Chelsea have taken on board Mourinho's mentality, a winning mentality of working hard and fighting for everything," the Portugal star told Barcelona's official website.

"They have got some great players, but Chelsea's strength lies in their team, the way they work together and in their winning mentality.

"I think Chelsea's best player is Mourinho because he has known how to ensure that his team fights to the death. Mourinho has given Chelsea and its players, victories and trophies that they hadn't experienced before he arrived."

Deco also revealed that he thought Barca deserved to beat Chelsea when they met last time, but backed his side to gain revenge this year.

"I think we are in very good form and we are a more mature side than last year," he insisted.

"Last time we were better than Chelsea but that didn't do us any good because we lost, but since then we have won the Spanish championship and have the same core of players and so we should have the right attitude.

"We now want to win the Champions League and to do that we have to beat Chelsea. If we can win there we will settle the tie."