Kenyon targets Champions League

Kenyon controversially moved to Chelsea from Manchester United

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has stressed the club's overriding goal is to win the Champions League.

The Blues have twice reached the semi-finals in recent years, but Kenyon says they must win the trophy to become one of the biggest names in football.

"While these clubs have all been very successful in their domestic leagues, winning that European Cup takes you to another level," he said.

"That is obviously an objective of Chelsea."

Chelsea stand top of Group B and will qualify with a game to spare for this season's knock-out stages if they beat second-placed Rosenborg at the end of November.

But Kenyon says that Champions League success does not necessarily have to be achieved this term - despite their lofty ambitions.

"We're not ashamed about that, and we're not saying it has to be this season otherwise we sack everybody.

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"We're saying we are building a team, building facilities, and building the profile of the club to achieve that level of success."

Kenyon also paid tribute to the way new manager Avram Grant has settled into the task of replacing Jose Mourinho.

"I think you have got to give Avram the credit for seven wins in a row with some big wins in there such as Valencia away and Man City," he said.

"With a different style being introduced, it has been a big period for us and we are certainly happy and we hope some of the initial critics are becoming more happy."