The Blues suffered the ignominy of becoming the first holders to exit the competition at the group stage last term, responding by winning the Europa League.
However they are now in the last eight of Europe's elite competition after first-half goals from Samuel Eto'o and Gary Cahill sealed a 2-0 second-leg win over Galatasaray, and Mourinho says it is fully deserved.
"We are there (in the last eight) - but it's different from last season because last season was the Europa League at a different level," Mourinho said after the game.
"To come from the Europa League to the quarter-finals of the Champions League is important for the club, important for the players.
"We are a Champions League club and now we are among the best eight, the best clubs in the world, and we are there. The players deserve to be there."
Meanwhile, the draw for the quarter-finals is on Friday and Mourinho is not concerned with who Chelsea get.
"All the big candidates to win the competition. Welcome to any one of them," he added. "We wait for the draw. It doesn't matter who."
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