Mourinho's Porto fear

Jose Mourinho fears Porto's spending power will be a threat to his own all-star team in tomorrow's Champions League meeting at Stamford Bridge.

The European champions have used Roman Abramovich's millions - spent on Porto's Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira - to recruit nine new players including Luis Fabiano, Giorgios Seitaridis and Helder Postiga, and Mourinho says they will present a formidable challenge.

The Chelsea head coach himself has spent £80million on seven new players since arriving at Chelsea last summer.

He said: "Porto are still a strong side without myself, Carvalho and Ferreira. They have sold three players but have had a lot of money to spend and have bought some very good players.

"They are a strong side with big ambitions."

Mourinho has led Porto to UEFA Cup and Champions League triumphs in the last two seasons, with their success largely based on a magnificent away record. The Portuguese club have lost just one away tie in the last two years.

Mourinho said: "Porto are a good team and last season they were not beaten away from home in Europe. The year before, in the UEFA Cup, they lost one match away from home but it was in the second leg after they'd won the first leg 3-0 at home.

"It will be a difficult game for us because we play tough games on Saturday and Wednesday but my players are ready for that. I prepared them well in pre-season and can rotate them if necessary.