Kenyon confident of calmer times

Manchester United denied Jose Mourinho's men a hat-trick of titles, helped by injury to John Terry and Petr Cech, but chief executive Kenyon is also confident there will be no repeat of last season where there was a perception of a breakdown in the relationship between boss Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich.

Kenyon said: "I'm not saying there weren't issues, there were various issues as there are at every club. That has been addressed and I'm confident about next season and that aspect of Chelsea. I don't think anyone wants a repeat of last year."

Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro and Tal Ben Haim have been added to the squad, with hopes of Alex and Florent Malouda being signed before the start of the campaign and Glen Johnson is returning from his loan at Portsmouth to bolster numbers.

Kenyon believes Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack will shine this season after struggling following their high-profile arrivals a year ago, with hopes of the pair emulating the likes of Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba in taking time to settle into English football.

"Andriy and Mike came in on four-year contracts, not for a year and then if you do okay we'll resign you," Kenyon added. "It's a four-year commitment to add value to the squad over a period of time.

"Both of those players know they have got much more to achieve and want to achieve much more.

"I remember having a similar conversation this time last year. It can be easy to underestimate the settling in to English football."

One issue yet to be resolved is the contracts of Terry and Frank Lampard, with both England internationals having two years left on their current deals.

Kenyon wants the issue resolved as soon as possible but has not set a time limit on negotiations, meaning discussions could continue after the season starts