Xabi Alonso: Chelsea the Only Champions League Contenders from England

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has backed Chelsea as the only club from England capable of winning the Champions League this season.

The Spanish international midfielder, who currently plays for Bayern Munich following his summer move from Real Madrid, feels that only the 2012 Champions League winners have the quality to go all the way.

Apart from the Blues, Alonso picked out the usual favourites, Real, Barcelona and his current employers Bayern.

But the former Reds star believes that this year it could be an open competition with teams like Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain also in the mix.

"Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, ourselves - Dortmund are always a tricky club to play against," Alonso said, as quoted in the Mirror.

"So I respect lots of clubs; Paris Saint Germain as well. It's quite open."

The Bavarian giants face AS Roma in their third Champions League group game and the Spaniard insists that the Italian club have improved from last season, and has tipped them to challenge Juventus for the Serie A title this year.

"You could see last season that have taken a step up - they are playing great stuff," the Spanish midfielder added.

"We faced them in a pre-season friendly with Madrid, so I know how they play. They are definitely going to be challenging for the Scudetto, and they want to reach the next stage in the Champions League."

The Spanish capital club are well placed in their group following wins in their first two matches, but Alonso believes this is a key game for them to consolidate their position as the leader of the group.

"So for us, the one in Rome - the first one - is a vital game, because we have got six points from the first two games and we are in a good position," Alonso concluded.