David Luiz: 'Europa League is important to Chelsea'

Chelsea defender David Luiz has insisted that the club have always taken the Europa League seriously this season.

The Blues dropped into the Europa League after finishing in third place in their Champions League group before Christmas, and after reaching the semi-finals of the competition, Luiz has revealed his desire to lift the trophy next month.

The 26-year-old told Goal.com: "The Europa League is very important to us. It was fantastic to win the Champions League last year.

"We're working to win the Europa League the same as we did to win the Champions League. We have the same attitude and desire to win.

"It was difficult to return the Champions League trophy and the European title. I hope to have the privilege to be able to lift it again. But for now we want to win the Europa League which is our chance to win a trophy this season and we're taking it seriously. Chelsea are a team which always wants to challenge for trophies."

Luiz scored Chelsea's winning goal in the first leg against Basel in Switzerland, with the second leg taking place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.