The Chelsea boss has identified two clubs with the potential to win the European trophy this season.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has named Manchester City and Juventus as the two teams with the acumen to the win UEFA Champions League this season. The 59-year-old manager was at the helm of affairs at Napoli when they met the former in the European competition last season.

The Citizens recorded back-to-back wins in the campaign and subsequently topped their group only to be knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual finalists Liverpool via a 5-1 aggregate win. Similarly, Juventus – who had finished as runners-up in a group with Barcelona, Sporting C.P and Olympiacos – were also eliminated by champions Real Madrid at the quarter-final stage.

Maurizio Sarri's Napoli, on the other hand, ended up in the Europa League where but could not survive the Round of 32 as they were eliminated by R.B. Leipzig via a 3-3 aggregate scoreline.

In an interview with Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, the Chelsea manager explained that Pep Guardiola's side was now "matured enough" to dominate in Europe while keeping the window open for Spanish clubs to make an attempt at winning.

"This season, there are two candidates to win the Champions League: Juve and Manchester City," he told Corriere dello Sport.

"I always thought Pep Guardiola's side was mature enough for the final step on the European stage, but then we'll have to see how the Spanish clubs are doing in March.

"Things change quickly in the Champions League."

Juventus' chance of clinching European glory has been massively boosted following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. The Portuguese superstar, who has consistently been the competition's top goalscorer in the last decade, is already repaying the Turin club's faith in securing his service as he has so far managed four goals in nine appearances.

The former Real Madrid forward's Champions League debut for the Old Ladies, however, did not go as planned as he was sent off against Valencia back in September.