The cream of the crop will once again attempt to lift th Champions League trophy that, even though slightly devalued through money and the system of choosing the competitors, is the one everyone wants to win.

It’s generally the same teams from the same countries who participate, not just in the latter rounds but also in the group stages, too. For the last four seasons there has been an English side in the final, producing two winners and three losers. Dominance? It seems so.

Since the turn of the century five countries have lifted the trophy - England, Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal. Porto winning was a shock, yes, but the other countries have for years provided the backbone of the competition and the eventual winners of the European Cup.

Predicting next year’s winner is not easy. We can safely assume the triumphant team will come from Spain, Italy, England or Germany. Real Madrid? Manchester United? Bayern Munich? AC Milan? No one has retained the European trophy since 1990 when Milan defeated Benfica 1-0 with a Frank Rijkaard goal in the 63rd minute. That team, of course, included Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Roberto Donadoni, Paolo Maldini and the rest. A truly legendary line-up.

Milan, Inter Milan, Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona are in the middle of some serious repair work, with new managers and older player being shipped out in a myriad of changes at each club. Manchester United still don’t know where they stand with Cristiano Ronaldo, Chelsea are going about their business ominously. Liverpool? Who knows? If they get Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane, expect a strong challenge. Arsenal? Arsene Wenger will pull more rabbits out of his bag of tricks.

It would be easy to jump on to the Jose Mourinho bandwagon at Inter, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Mourinho stated almost immediately that he only needs three or four new players, a huge revamp is not necessary. It’s quite true, Inter have found themselves running away with Serie A for three seasons now but that leap into the Champions League has proved a much more difficult task.

It is Mourinho’s primary task to bring that Champions League trophy back to the San Siro. Inter have amazingly not won it since 1965. They have been in the shadow of neighbours Milan for too long. Roberto Mancini was doing a sterling job with Inter but lack of Champions League success, along with a few other problems, meant he was surplus to requirements.

If there is any man who can stop the rot for Inter it is Mourinho. At Porto he did not have untold riches to spend but he moulded a team that won Europe’s two major trophies in successive seasons. Flip that coin and he had all the money in the world at Chelsea, yet couldn’t get his hands on the European Cup. Saying that the man will be eager to rectify this situation at Inter is an understatement.

Whoever Mourinho brings in, one thing is for sure – they will be a far more formidable force than they have been of late. I like Mourinho’s style and his effectiveness with the teams he produces. Over the last few years Inter have lacked something, a spark, a tenacity of sorts, and that is exactly what Mourinho will provide.

I’m sticking my neck out here but I have a feeling that Inter Milan will be crowned the Champions of Europe come next May.