Post by deco20 on Feb 20, 2006 17:00:41 GMT -5
Mourinho is Chelsea's best player, claims Deco
MADRID, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Coach Jose Mourinho is Chelsea's best player and has imprinted his personality on every member of his squad, according to Barcelona midfielder Deco.
'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 international told the Barcelona website on Monday.
Chelsea host Barcelona, whom they beat at the same stage in last season's competition, in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
'They have got some great players, but Chelsea's strength lies in their team, the way they work together and in their winning mentality,' added Deco.
'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, who was a key member of Mourinho's Porto side when they won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in 2003 and 2004, said that Barca were capable of getting one over his former mentor this time round.
'I think we are in very good form and we are a more mature side than last year.
'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.'
MADRID, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Coach Jose Mourinho is Chelsea's best player and has imprinted his personality on every member of his squad, according to Barcelona midfielder Deco.
'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 international told the Barcelona website on Monday.
Chelsea host Barcelona, whom they beat at the same stage in last season's competition, in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
'They have got some great players, but Chelsea's strength lies in their team, the way they work together and in their winning mentality,' added Deco.
'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, who was a key member of Mourinho's Porto side when they won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in 2003 and 2004, said that Barca were capable of getting one over his former mentor this time round.
'I think we are in very good form and we are a more mature side than last year.
'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.'