Juan Mata believes that it will be difficult for Spain to retain their European Championship title in Poland and Ukraine.

The Chelsea star said that the reigning world and European champions are the side that everyone wants to beat, making their task particularly difficult.

The 24-year-old has listed England and France among the pre-tournament favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in Kiev on July 1.

"For Spain, this European Championship will be very difficult, because every other team in the tournament wants to beat us," The Mirror quotes Mata as saying.

"It will not be easy to retain the title, but that is the challenge in front of us.

"Everyone says Spain, Germany and Holland are favourites for the title, but I wouldn't discount England or France, especially if they do well in the first phase."

Mata has played 17 times for his country, scoring five goals.