Kenyon delighted to face Fenerbahce March 14 2008
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was pleased after the Blues drew Turkish side Fenerbache in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The Blues will travel to Istanbul for the first-leg on 1st/2nd April, then host the return leg at Stamford Bridge on 8th/9th April.
If Chelsea can overcome the rank outsiders, it will then set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with the winners of the Liverpool-Arsenal clash.
Asked about the draw, Kenyon told Sky Sports News: "I am delighted - first and foremost we managed to avoid another English team which I think is good news certainly for our supporters and if we go through then the first time we meet an English team is in the semis so over-all a good draw."
Asked if there was any security fear over going to Istanbul given the trouble there in the past, he said: "I think that has gone. It is the first time we have played Fenerbache, so there's no history between the clubs and I think everybody will be looking forward to a good quarter-final."
He added they respect the Turkish team, who have former Blues' player Meteja Kezman in their ranks.
"They are having a good season, I think they are second in the league, they qualified second in the group so you have got to give them a lot of respect. There is no such thing as an easy game or an easy team at this stage of the competition."
In recent weeks, Chelsea have lost in the Carling Cup final, then went out to Barnsley in the FA Cup leading to speculation over the future of coach Avram Grant.
Asked how comfortable he was with how the team are doing at present, Kenyon said: "There was some disappointments right the way through but I think absolute confidence in the quality of the team and the coaching staff.
"I think everybody's hit fitness at the right time of year so games come thick and fast now and I think we're in a good shout for the last few run-ins."
Chelsea are in good form in the Champions League, keeping six clean sheets in the last six games.
"There's a lot of clubs who didn't want to draw Chelsea so I think we've got a real pedigree in Europe and I know everybody will be delighted, again an advantage playing the second game at home, that is always an advantage," said Kenyon.
Asked about reports that if Grant does not win the Champions League or Premier League he will probably be out of a job in the summer, he added: "None of that is emanating from the club first of all. Clearly we appointed Avram on a four-year contract back in September, his job was never contingent on silverware this year - it's about Chelsea moving on and continuing to build on what's been achieved over the last three years and that's the job to be done.
"The season's not over yet and we are here at the quarter-final draw."
Asked if Grant won the Champions League or Premier League than that would be a good season, he replied: "I think either of those and you would consider it a very good season and I think we are in a great position.
"You can see the route through to the final here now and everybody is professional, focussed and I think we are looking forward to the last few weeks of competition."