Chelsea to cut dependence on Abramovich

Peter Kenyon, Chelsea Football Club's chief executive, has prepared a five-year business plan to generate profits and turn Chelsea into a proper business, thus cutting the dependence on Roman Abramovich's billions.

"It is not prudent to run a football club on the basis of a benefactor building up a big debt-stream," Kenyon told the Sunday Telegraph. "It is in the best interests of Chelsea to be self-sufficient."

The result of the plan will be a football club that could cope financially if Abramovich lost interest and sold it. [Phew... -- Ed.]

"Roman has invested about £250 million in this club and there is no issue about him not being here for the long term," Kenyon said. "We are confident about the way the club is run, but the best protection we could have is to become self-sufficient. Our finances are structured in a proper manner so we don'€™t have to keep going back for major donations. Weà¢Â€Â™re in a good position but, if need be, there is money there for future investment."

Kenyon also added that he sees Jose Mourinho playing a long term part in his Stamford Bridge vision.

"He's got a fantastic CV in terms of what he has already achieved but at 41 we have got a manager who could be with us for a long time. We are talking very much in terms of a 10-year vision."

Part of the plan involves increasing Stamford Bridge's capacity from 42,000 to 50,000. Kenyon said the club did not intend to move grounds to achieve the increase.

*Related links:*

* Mourinho wants Chelsea branded as champions * Blues hunt the black: Chelsea to stand on its own 22 feet