Chelsea chief again outlines ‘need’ for Euro glory
However, after the shock departure of Jose Mourinho in January, Kenyon insists that success in the game’s most prestigious club competition does not necessarily have to be achieved this term.
Kenyon declared: “I think you get to the stage where if you look at the really big names in football, they are there because they have won the European Cup.
“While they have all been very successful in their domestic leagues, winning that European Cup takes you to another level. That is obviously an objective of Chelsea. We’re not ashamed about that, and we’re not saying it has to be this season otherwise we sack everybody.”
Kenyon admits that, after winning six trophies in three years under the charismatic Mourinho, the club are more than happy with the way new manager Avram Grant has settled into the awesome task of replacing the ‘Special One’.
Kenyon added: “I think you have got to give him (Avram) the credit for seven wins in a row with some big wins in there such as Valencia away and Man City.”
Goalkeeper Petr Cech is resigned to having to wear his protective headgear for years even though he will discuss the situation with doctors at the end of the season.
Cech has worn the guard since suffering a fracture to the skull in a collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt early last season.
Cech said: “I will be wearing it at least until the end of this season and then discussing it with doctors. Nevertheless, it rather seems that I will be wearing it for the next few years.”
Meanwhile ex-Chelsea full-back Albert Ferrer has backed Mourinho to become the next coach of Barcelona if the Catalan giants eventually part company with Frank Rijkaard.
Barca are only four points behind leaders Real Madrid but pressure is mounting on Rijkaard and reports in Spain have linked former Chelsea boss Mourinho with a return to the Nou Camp, where he worked alongside both Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal.
Laporta last night insisted he has “every confidence in Frank Rijkaard and his coaching staff”, and Ferrer agrees the former Dutch international should be given more time.
But he added: “If Rijkaard is sacked, the club have to bring in a coach with a totally different profile, a manager with a strong character.
“The first name which comes to my head is Mourinho. I spoke to players at Chelsea and they were thrilled with him, because of his professionalism and his way of leading.”
