Yahoo Best XI - Champions League Power Rankings

Writers and editors around the globe cover soccer for Yahoo. "Best XI" showcases our opinions on the best players and teams of the beautiful game.

We kick off our new global football feature with the top 11 contenders to win this season's UEFA Champions League.

Here is who our editors are picking to win the Champions League.

Atletico Madrid

"Diego Simeone is the best coach in the world and the team has an epic fighting mentality like no one. They lost some key players like Diego Costa, David Villa and Thibault Courtois, but they have replaced them with new great players like Mario Mandžukic and Antoine Griezmann."
– Andoni Biurrarena, Yahoo U.S. Hispanics

Bayern Munich

"The shrewd signing of Xabi Alonso strengthened an already formidable Bayern Munich squad. It also weakened a Real Madrid side that is not as good as last year’s champions with the departure of Angel Di Maria."
– Joe Lago, Yahoo U.S.

Chelsea

"While Barça, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid continue to boast very strong squads, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea has set up the best possible group to deliver the effectiveness the Portuguese coach expects from his teams."
– Alfonso Duro, Yahoo Deportes

Chelsea

"Guys like Thibaut Courtois, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa have significantly strengthened a project that was already tremendously powerful. Imagine what the team can do now with these stars in addition to Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle."
– Sergio Cortina, Yahoo Deportes

Real Madrid

"They have the strongest offensive midfield in the world with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. Don't discount the Chicharito factor. Javier Hernández will be the key in close games."
– Eric Fong, Yahoo Mexico

Real Madrid

"FIFA chose the reigning Champions League winner as the best team of the 20th century. And, of course, they have Golden Ball winner Cristiano Ronaldo."
– Federico Saint Romain, Yahoo Argentina

Real Madrid

"Real replaced two great players like Di Maria and Xabi Alonso with one of the best young players around the world in James Rodriguez and a great midfielder in Toni Kroos. Under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti, they are the most complete team in Europe."
– Maurizio Scalari, Yahoo Italy

Real Madrid

"Last champion, greatest coach, Cristiano Ronaldo and two new great players in Kroos and James. They are also the most accurate team and they are solid in defense, midfield and attack."
– Fernando Vives, Yahoo Brazil