Premier League Top Goalscorer – Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka leads the way for the golden boot this season with 10 league goals. See all the 2008/09 top scorer betting here!

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has dismissed reports that the credit crunch will dramatically impact upon the club’s transfer policy but admitted it was looking to develop more players through the Stamford Bridge Academy.

Kenyon insisted it was highly unlikely any major signings would be made in the January window because of the type of players available then.

“We need to invest continually but not at the levels we used to,” Kenyon said. “We are not stopping transfers or anything drastic of that nature but we want to develop our own talent.

“I’m not sure there are major players available in January, that’s the reality. What is the point in bringing players in – and Felipe is completely on board with this – if the only ones available are not good enough to improve what we’ve got?

“January is the wrong time to bring players in for the long term. Anything we do will be against the backdrop of a need to, rather than a desire to, like we reacted by bringing in Mineiro after Michael Essien’s injury.

“The economic world has changed. It would be remiss of us not to look at the implications of that. You have to recognise that the environment is different to two months ago.”

Chelsea recently got rid of 15 members of their scouting staff, and Kenyon admitted they were simply reacting to market conditions.

“You can’t believe that what we’ve enjoyed is going to continue,” he said. “Marketing budgets are being slashed and that’s got implications for everybody. I’m not saying we’ll be hit but it’s just us looking at deferring some costs and doing a line-by-line review.”

Kenyon also confirmed that the corporate side of the game could suffer if the economic downturn continues.

“You’ve got say that as of next season, corporate boxes is the area where most clubs are going to be under most immediate pressure from,” he added.

Kenyon also had words of praise for coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, believing Chelsea were finally earning respect among rival fans.

“He’s got a very good people manner about him,” said Kenyon. “He’s an experienced coach who engaged with the team and club – and the media – very quickly.

“It’s created a better, less negative environment. It’s always better to have people, internally and externally, supporting you.

“It’s immeasurable in terms of Chelsea’s image. People don’t like to be hated. We are all human beings and Felipe has clearly engaged with a broader neutral football fan. He is bringing something different to English football.”

Premier League Top Goalscorer – Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka leads the way for the golden boot this season with 10 league goals. See all the 2008/09 top scorer betting here!

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