No 'gimmick' players for Chelsea as they build Asia image

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Manchester United and other Englsih clubs might have Asians in their squads but you won't find one at Chelsea, with chief executive Peter Kenyon ruling out any "gimmick" players.

The Blues conclude their three-leg Asian pre-season tour on Tuesday and while Kenyon admits it is a huge market they are keen to develop, he is not interested in hiring players unless they are good enough.

And he doesn't think any from Asia are.

"Our view is that the selection of our players is the ability to be in the Chelsea team," he told AFP.

"What drives Chelsea is success on the field, so we are not interested in gimmicks. We are not interested in having, say, an American or an Asian in the team because it represents another revenue stream, if you...