Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin doubts the club have the experience and ability to win the Europa League this season.
Chelsea will face Sparta Prague in the last 32 of the competition and should they progress will come up against either Ajax or Steaua Bucharest in the last 16.
Nevin believes Chelsea are in transition this season and therefore feels it will be difficult for them to win the tournament, especially with teams such as Atletico Madrid still in the draw.
He told Goal.com: "I suspect it has come a year early for this transitional team to win it, though. They are very much in the early stages of rebuilding their squad and style of play and I would only put them as third favourites, at best, to win it.
"I'm sure Rafa (manager Rafael Benitez) will be relieved to avoid Atletico Madrid, who will be the ones to beat. When it comes to the draw you can only ask for two things – a home draw in the second leg and a short trip. They've got both of them.
"The fans will enjoy Prague, it's a good city to visit. Sparta shouldn't present too many difficulties and Chelsea should progress."
The 49-year-old believes Chelsea will still give the competition their all despite their disappointment of not competing in the Champions League, with players such as John Terry and Frank Lampard wanting to add to their silverware collection.
