Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool and Manchester City have more chance of winning the UEFA Champions League than Chelsea do this season.
The Blues, fresh off the back of their FIFA Club World Cup triumph in Abu Dhabi, lifted the famous European trophy less than 12 months ago with a 1-0 victory over Man City in the final.
Despite this, Ferdinand does not think it is likely Chelsea will be able to retain their title this time around - with Liverpool and Man City backed to go further in the competition.
Ferdinand said on BT Sport: "I think they’re the third of the teams capable of winning it. The two other English teams Liverpool and City will be ahead of them and I think they will be there or thereabouts with someone like a Bayern Munich.
"Listen, you have to understand that these guys have the experience and that counts for a lot. On that night, they have the experience, the know-how, they have players there that are good ages and a manager there again who’s growing in stature.
"They’ll be a threat. Listen, with that experience and being the holders, drawing them you’ll be saying, 'it’s not going to be easy'. They won't make it easy for anybody no matter what."
Meanwhile, Ferdinand's former Manchester United team-mate and now BT Sport colleague, Owen Hargreaves, is not backing Chelsea for European success for the second season in a row.
Hargreaves said: "I just don’t think they have the form that they had last season. Last season I would’ve said Manchester City and Liverpool are in a different bracket but don’t bet against Thomas Tuchel and that Chelsea team.
"They will be a dangerous underdog to underestimate."
Chelsea are in Champions League round of 16 action next week as they welcome Lille to Stamford Bridge for the first-leg of the tie.
