The 28-year-old striker has trained with his new team-mates for the first time since leaving Bayern Munich on a free transfer and is in line for a debut in tomorrow's friendly at Feyenoord.

Last season saw big-name recruits Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack struggle to live up to their global reputations and the Barclays Premier League title was eventually surrendered to Manchester United.

But Blues boss Mourinho is convinced the Peruvian will be able to adapt quickly to life in England.

He said: "He is what you used to call a typical British striker - intelligent and holds the ball well. He is not the kind of selfish striker who only likes to shoot, is good in the air and scores goals.

"And I hope I can give him some of my qualities as a coach. I think I can make him better. He is not a young boy but there is always place for an improvement and my competitive and aggressive qualities can make him even better.

"He has South American qualities but, at the same time, has played in Europe for eight years. Eight years of German football have made him a player with a European touch and that's important.

"The fact he had played for a long time for Bayern also means he knows how to play in a big team, how to play under pressure, how to play with other very good players and how to win trophies.

"I'm convinced he will have success here. I always like players with the mentality he has shown. He wanted to make a change in his life. For sure, he could have stayed in German football but he decided to move and I am very happy to have him."

Pizarro revealed a chat with his then-Bayern team-mate Owen Hargreaves, now at Manchester United, helped him decide to snub other suitors, including Italian giants Juventus.

He said: "I had many options to go to other teams but I chose Chelsea because I wanted to move to England and I talked to my friend Owen Hargreaves.

"He told me he was moving to Manchester and that it was very nice in England. When I talked to the people here, I found them very nice and I know they want to win important things. I do too so that's why I came here."

Pizarro was also confident he would be able to command a regular starting place.

He said: "I know there is a lot of competition for a place but a club like Chelsea always has lots of games to play, sometimes twice a week, so the manager will probably adopt a rotation policy which will give me opportunities.

"Then it is up to me to make it difficult to be left out of the side. I know there are lots of players here of excellent quality but I aim to play well when I get the chance.

"My eight years in Germany have given me experience of European football so the transition period is not going to be so complicated."