Grant: It is not easy buying players when you are Chelsea - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Grant: It is not easy buying players when you are Chelsea

Avram Grant today revealed that Chelsea's attempts to sign another striker this month were scuppered by unreasonable financial demands.

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The manager wanted more firepower to go with £15million new-boy Nicolas Anelka but said the club would not be held to ransom.

The only other striker Chelsea showed an interest in was Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov.

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Splashing the cash: Chelsea spent £15million on striker Nicolas Anelka

At the beginning of the month when asked if he wanted Anelka or the Spurs striker, Grant said: "They are both players that I like and a team like Chelsea should have more forwards."

Juande Ramos put a fee of £31m on Berbatov's head and that put off most potential suitors.

Grant also wanted to sign another midfielder and was linked with Dinamo Zagreb's Luka Modric but insisted he is in no rush to rebuild his squad.

He is pleased with the backing provided by owner Roman Abramovich but is almost certain no more business will be done before the summer despite Chelsea's problems with injuries and absences.

Grant said: "We did not want to stay with one striker and we put Shaun Wright-Phillips in midfield and he succeeded but he is not a midfield player. First it is a matter of money but not only that.

"We are looking for quality and we are looking at the future of the club. I am pleased I have got value for money with the players I have bought and very happy with the backing I have had.

"It is not easy buying players when you are Chelsea. You are looking for the best quality, best personality, attitude and character. It is difficult and there is a lot of pressure of money, pressure to win and you need a positive personality.

"To find this combination in one person isn't easy. This is the reason I wanted two more players. We have only two days left of the transfer window and I never stop looking but basically I am happy.

"We do not need to rush and did not when we had big problems. I am 90 per cent sure that we will stay as we are and I am very happy with the squad."

Chelsea play Reading tomorrow and will have Ashley Cole available despite the personal problems which affected him at the weekend.

Steve Sidwell will be hoping to face his old club but Michael Ballack is expected to return after a calf problem and Frank Lampard could be back from his thigh injury to face Portsmouth on Saturday.

John Terry's foot injury is expected to keep him out for a further three weeks.

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