Frank Lampard faces a tough test this season with Chelsea back in the Champions League, where they will face Ajax, Valencia and Lille in the group stages.
Lampard was unable to recruit any new players this summer due to Chelsea's Fifa transfer ban, placing plenty of pressure on the Blues' younger players as they prepare for life back in Europe's elite club competition.
Chelsea have also lost Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, meaning the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount will have to step up and show the best of Europe exactly what they have to offer.
The Blues are seeded in pot 1 having won the Europa League last season, but there are no easy draws even this early on in the competition.
The group-stage draw, which took place in Monaco, has pitted the Blues against last season's semi-finalists Ajax as well as Valencia and Lille.
| GROUP H | |
| Chelsea | England |
| Ajax | Netherlands |
| Valencia | Spain |
| Lille | France |
Key events and fixture dates
Group Stage
- Match day one: 17-18 September
- Match day two: 1-2 October
- Match day three: 22-23 October
- Match day four: 5-6 November
- Match day five: 26-27 November
- Match day six: 10-11 December
Last 16
- The draw: 16 December
- Round of 16 first leg: 18-19 and 25-26 February
- Round of 16 second leg: 10-11 and 17-18 March
Quarter-final and semi-finals
- The draw: 20 March
- Quarter-final first leg: 7-8 April
- Quarter-final second leg: 14-15 April
- Semi-final first leg: 28-29 April
- Semi-final second leg: 5-6 May
The Final
30 May, Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul
