Kenyon urges Blues fans to back Grant

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has called on fans to get behind manager Avram Grant as they target the Champions League final – but admitted their style of football is still not entertaining enough.

Kenyon believes the cards are more stacked in Chelsea’s favour for their third semi-final encounter with Liverpool, saying playing the second leg at home this time will be “a big advantage”.

Grant’s side are also on the tails of Manchester United in the Premier League race – yet the Israeli coach has been abused by a section of Chelsea fans unhappy at Jose Mourinho’s departure.

After he took over, Grant emphasised that he would make the team more entertaining, but Kenyon said that aim had yet to be achieved.

Kenyon said: “I don’t think that it is where we want to be but everybody still wants to improve.

“Equally, we are in the semi-final of the Champions League and we are right up there in the most competitive run-in of the Premier League that we have had for many years.

“The crowd needs to be get behind the team and that’s as much Avram as anyone else.

“It has only been a fairly small element (who have been anti-Grant) and I’m sure we will see the crowd at Stamford Bridge behind the complete team.”

The prospect of a Champions League final in Moscow would be especially enticing for Chelsea given the Russian connection with owner Roman Abramovich, and Kenyon believes they have an outstanding chance of making the last step after three semi-final defeats in four seasons.

“We are at home in the second leg against Liverpool this time and you have to say that’s a big advantage,” said Kenyon, speaking at the Soccerex conference at Wembley Stadium.

“How big an advantage we will see afterwards but it is a big achievement to have got to this point and you have to respect Chelsea as a club for doing so.

“The players have more than played their part as well as the coaching staff including Avram.

“It’s a complete effort but arguably the biggest weeks and biggest achievements are ahead of us still.”