Post by QPR Report on Sept 3, 2009 18:39:29 GMT
Chelsea Official Site - KENYON: CLUBS IN LONDON ARE UNITED
Posted on: Thu 03 Sep 2009
Peter Kenyon believes England's multi-cultural capital is the perfect place for the world's biggest football tournament in 2018.
Chelsea's chief executive was speaking at an event held by London United, the stakeholder preparing London's proposal for the 2018 World Cup bid, yesterday afternoon.
'If you look at London we are very diverse, we represent all the nations playing in World Cups, most of those players play in the Premier League,' said the Chelsea chief executive.
'We are very passionate and emotional about what football is. We have fantastic stadia and facilities and I think we are a welcoming environment. We understand what fans want.'
London already contains five Barclays Premier League teams, without counting the lower division sides, as well as the nation's primary stadium, Wembley, although Stamford Bridge doesn't meet the criteria for international games.
Kenyon knows these credentials must put Britain's biggest city in the lead as a potential host for the World Cup.
Yesterday afternoon was set up to prove London's ability to be host city for the tournament, put forward by London United, which is chaired by Chelsea director of communications and public affairs Simon Greenberg.
Kenyon noted: 'It is very competitive with other areas of the country equally able and wanting to be a host city and it is right football goes right through the country.
'But today is all about showing the credentials of London, the strength of London and the depth of London when it comes to hosting the major event in football, which is the World Cup.
'This is about London being a real host, with stadiums at Wembley or Arsenal, the new Tottenham stadium and the rest of London football being used for training facilities and support.
'So if we get the World Cup, which we are confident about, London can play a major part in the hosting.'
And Stamford Bridge could play a key role in London hosting the World Cup, although our west London home wouldn't be able to host international matches.
'No, it couldn't, it doesn't meet the criteria, but we are here representing London, we are not going to be a host.
'We are not putting ourselves forward to be hosts, there is Wembley, there is Arsenal, there is the new Tottenham. But we can be part of the training facilities and host a team at Stamford Bridge for preparation purposes.
'At the end of the day we want to be part of this whole bid, which is a fantastic opportunity for football and England.'
As he thought about Stamford Bridge's potential role in the World Cup, Kenyon took the time to ponder the 2009/10 campaign. Our chief executive believes Chelsea's work over the summer has placed the Blues in the perfect position to fulfil our ambitions this season.
With important players signing new contracts, as Ashley Cole became the fifth player to do so this week, as well as Carlo Ancelotti's influence on the side, Kenyon has plenty to be optimistic about.
'There's been a lot of emphasis generally around football on transfers, but we've added to our squad,' Kenyon said.
'We've been quiet but we got the players we wanted. If I look at Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and John Terry, those are players who could walk into any other team in Europe.
'Carlo's made a big impact already, he's an experienced coach,' he added. 'He's done it as a player, done it as a coach and he's really engaged in playing in the Premier League.'
It is well recorded that Ancelotti has achieved a feat Chelsea are still striving for - the lifting of the European Cup.
'I was at the draw for the Champions League with John Terry last week and John made the point that he is fed up walking past the Champions League trophy, he wants to pick it up,' explained Kenyon.
'That is a desire we've got at Chelsea. We think we can win everything, but the reality of the [Champions League] is that there is an added edge.'
For more information on the 2018 World Cup bid click here. You can also register your support for the bid by clicking here and submitting your details.
www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1787173,00.html
Posted on: Thu 03 Sep 2009
Peter Kenyon believes England's multi-cultural capital is the perfect place for the world's biggest football tournament in 2018.
Chelsea's chief executive was speaking at an event held by London United, the stakeholder preparing London's proposal for the 2018 World Cup bid, yesterday afternoon.
'If you look at London we are very diverse, we represent all the nations playing in World Cups, most of those players play in the Premier League,' said the Chelsea chief executive.
'We are very passionate and emotional about what football is. We have fantastic stadia and facilities and I think we are a welcoming environment. We understand what fans want.'
London already contains five Barclays Premier League teams, without counting the lower division sides, as well as the nation's primary stadium, Wembley, although Stamford Bridge doesn't meet the criteria for international games.
Kenyon knows these credentials must put Britain's biggest city in the lead as a potential host for the World Cup.
Yesterday afternoon was set up to prove London's ability to be host city for the tournament, put forward by London United, which is chaired by Chelsea director of communications and public affairs Simon Greenberg.
Kenyon noted: 'It is very competitive with other areas of the country equally able and wanting to be a host city and it is right football goes right through the country.
'But today is all about showing the credentials of London, the strength of London and the depth of London when it comes to hosting the major event in football, which is the World Cup.
'This is about London being a real host, with stadiums at Wembley or Arsenal, the new Tottenham stadium and the rest of London football being used for training facilities and support.
'So if we get the World Cup, which we are confident about, London can play a major part in the hosting.'
And Stamford Bridge could play a key role in London hosting the World Cup, although our west London home wouldn't be able to host international matches.
'No, it couldn't, it doesn't meet the criteria, but we are here representing London, we are not going to be a host.
'We are not putting ourselves forward to be hosts, there is Wembley, there is Arsenal, there is the new Tottenham. But we can be part of the training facilities and host a team at Stamford Bridge for preparation purposes.
'At the end of the day we want to be part of this whole bid, which is a fantastic opportunity for football and England.'
As he thought about Stamford Bridge's potential role in the World Cup, Kenyon took the time to ponder the 2009/10 campaign. Our chief executive believes Chelsea's work over the summer has placed the Blues in the perfect position to fulfil our ambitions this season.
With important players signing new contracts, as Ashley Cole became the fifth player to do so this week, as well as Carlo Ancelotti's influence on the side, Kenyon has plenty to be optimistic about.
'There's been a lot of emphasis generally around football on transfers, but we've added to our squad,' Kenyon said.
'We've been quiet but we got the players we wanted. If I look at Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and John Terry, those are players who could walk into any other team in Europe.
'Carlo's made a big impact already, he's an experienced coach,' he added. 'He's done it as a player, done it as a coach and he's really engaged in playing in the Premier League.'
It is well recorded that Ancelotti has achieved a feat Chelsea are still striving for - the lifting of the European Cup.
'I was at the draw for the Champions League with John Terry last week and John made the point that he is fed up walking past the Champions League trophy, he wants to pick it up,' explained Kenyon.
'That is a desire we've got at Chelsea. We think we can win everything, but the reality of the [Champions League] is that there is an added edge.'
For more information on the 2018 World Cup bid click here. You can also register your support for the bid by clicking here and submitting your details.
www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1787173,00.html
