Ancelotti has guided Chelsea to a fine start in the Barclays Premier League and, as the Blues begin their new Champions League campaign at home to Porto on Tuesday night, Ancelotti has learned to love the English way of life.

The Italian coach has already won Europe's top trophy on two occasions and would love to make it a hat-trick with Chelsea.

Ancelotti inspired AC Milan, his former club, to Champions League triumphs in 2003 and 2007 with an incredible defeat at the hands of Liverpool sandwiched in between.

Milan were three goals to the good at half-time in the 2005 final but lost on penalties. However, two years later Ancelotti gained revenge for that defeat by beating Liverpool in the final in Athens.

But even though he has never managed outside Italy, Ancelotti has quickly learned to love life in England since he replaced interim coach Guus Hiddink in July.

Famed for his love of food as much as football, Ancelotti has no doubts about his favourite English fare.

"Eggs and bacon," said Ancelotti. "I like English breakfasts a lot. We're not used to a big breakfast in Italy, it's normally cappuccino and brioche, but here it is eggs and bacon."

But while food plays and important part in his life, it is the football that provides his biggest passion.

He guided Chelsea to four straight wins at the start of the season and looked the vision of calmness on the touchline as Chelsea took to his diamond formation with ease.

"I'm not calm inside but I manage to control the stress and pressure during matches," said Ancelotti.

His admission prompts the question of just how he relaxes away from the stresses of the game.

"I don't have a particular way," he said. "But I like watching sport on television. I love football. For me, watching a great game of football is a good way of relaxing. I listen to Elton John and I like singing too."

The 50-year-old will be sticking with his diamond formation in the Champions League and believes Chelsea have one player who is modelled on his own playing style - John Obi Mikel.

"I prefer to play with two strikers and one midfielder behind the strikers," said Ancelotti. "These midfielders can play this system with a diamond in midfield.

"If you are using a midfield diamond, as I did at Milan and now at Chelsea, it is important to have full-backs who push on.

"If you are playing with two wingers it isn't so important for the full-backs to press.

"Mikel is very similar to the player I was and Deco is very important because he has the highest quality in the midfield."

Deco, who collected a calf strain while playing for Portugal against Hungary in midweek, will be fit to face Porto.