Cesar Azpilicueta has warned his Chelsea team-mates they cannot afford to think winning the Europa League is their best hope of qualifying for the Champions League.

Chelsea suffered a blow to their hopes of securing a place in Europe’s premier club competition via a top-four finish with a 2-0 loss at Everton.

Had they won, Chelsea would have drawn level with fourth-placed Arsenal but they remain sixth with eight matches left.

Chelsea have been gifted a favourable draw against Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and know they will be in the Champions League if they win the competition.

Azpilicueta said: “Chelsea’s place is not to finish sixth. I can’t accept this. The Europa League gives us a way into the Champions League and also would be a trophy.

“But we are not in a position in the League where we are going to say we are not going to get in a Champions League spot. I don’t see the Europa League as the only way to be in the Champions League.”