Craftsman Deco rates Blues style as the best in Europe

The Portugal international won the tournament with Porto and Barcelona in 2004 and 2006 respectively, but has never been as excited about a team's potential as he is with Chelsea.

Deco, who joined from Barcelona for £7.9million in the summer, has been amazed by the standard of play at Stamford Bridge and is thriving under ex-Portugal manager Luiz Felip Scolari.

Chelsea have scored 27 goals in 11 games so far this term and Deco feels it is only a matter of time before they win Europe's premier club competition.

He said: "The Barcelona team which won the Champions League played a stylish brand of football for two seasons that any team would find hard to match. That said, the Porto side was also very strong.

"However, in all honesty, the current Chelsea team has the maturity and presence to go further still. It reminds me of that Porto team but with even greater quality.

"One thing that strikes you is the level of professionalism at the club. You see a lot of hard graft and intensity at training sessions, which is then reflected in matches.

"On top of that, we have a great motivator in Scolari. All of this brings about a very positive atmosphere at the club.

"I am very happy at Chelsea. Things have been good for me and for Chelsea since I arrived. We are playing very well and I hope it will continue like this."

Deco is on course to start in tomorrow night's Champions League clash against Roma at Stamford Bridge having recovered from the knee injury he sustained last month.

The knee problem put a stop to the 31-year-old's impressive start to his career in English football after starring in Chelsea's first few games of the campaign.

He admits it was hard to leave life in Spain but is adamant he is playing in the best league in Europe.

Deco added: "It is always difficult to adapt to a new league and a new country, but it has been easier for me because I am at a great club with great players.

"The main difference is the intensity of the play in England. Even though it might sometimes lack the technical quality of other leagues, in terms of commitment and the level of preparation, it's on a different level.

"In Spain, even smaller clubs invariably have technically gifted players who can make the difference in a game. It doesn't matter who the opposition is, you know that you will be up against one or two outstanding players.

"In England, on the other hand, the weaker teams always seem to be full of really athletic players.

"So yes, I suppose that ultimately makes the Premoer League a more difficult league to play in."