Cole Palmer says the squad do not see this campaign's Champions League as a "stepping stone" - as they want to be successful in it immediately.
Chelsea's side were second-best as they fell 3-1 to a veteran Bayern Munich at their home ground on Wednesday.
It was Chelsea's first return in the tournament since last year - and the game highlighted a youthful squad will need to reflect on what it takes to succeed at that tier.
But gaffer the Italian stated his side can take plenty from the setback and "develop something special" - while attacker the player has dismissed the idea that they are unable to do that quickly.
"We are not arriving here for it to be a learning curve," Palmer remarked. "We have demonstrated tonight we want to challenge and we want to do as best as we possible."
The team claimed the global trophy in July, defeating the French champions in East Rutherford, having lifted the UECL two months before, but their previous attacker the pundit always felt the UCL was going to be a bigger test.
"It was the type of showing that I expected from Chelsea," Nevin said. "Many observers were claiming in advance that they were going to break into this competition, they are global champions and so on, but I was saying, 'hold on'. The step up you require to do to come to stadiums like this is quite large and a number of members just haven't have that knowledge at this point. They weren't able to do it as a group today."
Maresca's men admit weaknesses
Maresca may have been mostly satisfied with his side's performance, but conceded they lacked "total focus for the full 95 minutes".
He added: "I think the squad were fully aware of this event, of the obstacles. Players cannot make mistakes in the way we have made, but I just said to the team, it's a game that we can gain a lot from, and build something special from this loss."
The visitors played decently, especially in the beginning when Pedro Neto and the midfielder missed clear chances, but mistakes hurt them.
They lost focus at a restart, letting the opposition winger Michael Olise unmarked to send a ball that the defender turned into his goal. Then anchor Caicedo tripped Kane to offer a foul - which the England captain scored.
After Palmer had netted a effort back, Kane sealed the result in the after the break when full-back the Frenchman gave away the possession.
They were all team mistakes against deadly foes. The German side - a side who have triumphed in their opener in every of their last 22 UCL editions - master the ropes at this tier, in a manner the existing Chelsea side are still learning to.
Can Chelsea fix their youth?
Nevin added: "The game was not totally men against boys, but the German giants were clearly a noticeable step superior of Chelsea here. The errors Chelsea made were rather naive and they were caught out, aside from for the goals, but for a multitude of opportunities aside from that. That's what unfolds with youthful team performing in this tournament, but they will improve from that. The standard is highest. It is a leap. And that transition may need them a some time."
Youth may very have been an issue: At Allianz Arena, Chelsea fielded their among the youngest ever UCL lineup.
Their entire 24-man roster started midweek's fixture with merely 117 games in the tournament among them. In comparison, keeper the German, 39, has featured 131 games in the tournament for Bayern by himself.
His colleagues Harry Kane, the midfielder and Gnabry have considerable exposure at this level. By contrast, Chelsea duo the midfielder and Cucurella were making their debuts in the event despite being among the club's key names.
Even head coach the gaffer, part of the Catalan's team during Manchester City' 2022-23 historic-winning campaign, may have to elevate to this standard.
It felt as if a third German goal was coming for a some minutes before Harry Kane converted it - but Maresca seemed reluctant to respond, and merely brought on substitutions once his squad had gone 3-1 down.
It was not enough, yet too late.
