Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has spoken out against former club Manchester United and Arsenal, as debates about the conduct of the Premiership champions continue to rumble.
Chelsea found themselves in plenty of hot water last season after a series of allegations involving the 'tapping' of players and their treatment of referees.
Officials from United and Arsenal have not been slow to pile pressure on Chelsea, and Kenyon believes it is a sign of the two club's desperation to keep pace with the new boys on the block.
Kenyon said: "It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for 12 years. Now there is suddenly a third kid and that one is threatening to be more successful than the other two and they don't like it.
"That is what this nonsense is about. They are trying to blow us off course, they are trying to blow us away from our plans and stop us winning.
"Is it disrupting us? Not really, but it is time consuming. But it is not going to stop us from being a successful club. We have to accept it but we don't like it."
Kenyon also set about putting the record straight on the Ashley Cole 'tapping-up' affair, and he believes that if clubs were honest they would all admit that they are involved in illegal approaches.
"Some of the instances where Chelsea have been vilified go on every day and, guess what, it goes on with Chelsea players too. But we have chosen not to complain. We will not put ourselves in that position again.
"I'm not confident that relations with Arsenal will get better. We will not be going for Ashley Cole, but we will not be sniped at."
Kenyon also revealed that Chelsea fans should be celebrating another big signing in the near future, as he continues to ensure that Michael Essien becomes a Chelsea player.
Kenyon admitted: "Ideally we wanted to have him on this trip but as long as Essien is here by August 31 we will be happy. Negotiations should begin again this week."
by Ben Blackmore
Chelsea found themselves in plenty of hot water last season after a series of allegations involving the 'tapping' of players and their treatment of referees.
Officials from United and Arsenal have not been slow to pile pressure on Chelsea, and Kenyon believes it is a sign of the two club's desperation to keep pace with the new boys on the block.
Kenyon said: "It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for 12 years. Now there is suddenly a third kid and that one is threatening to be more successful than the other two and they don't like it.
"That is what this nonsense is about. They are trying to blow us off course, they are trying to blow us away from our plans and stop us winning.
"Is it disrupting us? Not really, but it is time consuming. But it is not going to stop us from being a successful club. We have to accept it but we don't like it."
Kenyon also set about putting the record straight on the Ashley Cole 'tapping-up' affair, and he believes that if clubs were honest they would all admit that they are involved in illegal approaches.
"Some of the instances where Chelsea have been vilified go on every day and, guess what, it goes on with Chelsea players too. But we have chosen not to complain. We will not put ourselves in that position again.
"I'm not confident that relations with Arsenal will get better. We will not be going for Ashley Cole, but we will not be sniped at."
Kenyon also revealed that Chelsea fans should be celebrating another big signing in the near future, as he continues to ensure that Michael Essien becomes a Chelsea player.
Kenyon admitted: "Ideally we wanted to have him on this trip but as long as Essien is here by August 31 we will be happy. Negotiations should begin again this week."
by Ben Blackmore
