Europe's second-tier competition not only rewards teams across the continent for finishing third, fifth or even seventh place in their domestic division, but also absorbs eight Champions League teams who could only manage third in their group.
As a result, the successor to the UEFA Cup, once regarded as the hardest European competition to win, is a marathon of leagues and knock-outs, often played out in sparsely-populated stadia.
"Champions league football is what this club has always been involved in and that is what we as players want to achieve," Mikel said.
"No disrespect to the Europa League, but when you saw that game on Thursday [against Rubin Kazan] but when you get that buzz, and you hear the Champions League song, it's different.
"I don't even know the Europa League song. I have been here seven years and I have never played football on Thursday nights… It has been kind of frustrating to watch Champions League matches, and we have to then play on Thursday night."
Still, the Blues are looking to progress through to the Europa League semi-finals in the second-leg on Thursday and then continue their FA Cup defence with victory in Sunday's Wembley semi-final with Manchester City.
In the league, a return to the Champions League remains a possibility. A 2-1 win over Sunderland saw Chelsea climb to third in the Barclays Premier League. And that's where Mikel's primary focus is.
"Champions league football is what this club has always been involved in and that is what we as players want to achieve," Mikel said.
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