By Ibrahim Sannie

Kenyon says Chelsea will not be signing any Africans this season

The Blues are set to lose four players for the tournament which takes place in Ghana, in January.

The Ivory Coast duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigeria's Mikel Jon Obi are all expected to play at the tournament.

"We will not sign any more African players for this season," Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon told BBC Sport.

"The four players who will be at the Nations Cup are not squad players but they are key first-team players.

"Their absence will be a blow to the club that's why we are on the market to get players as back up during the tournament."

Kenyon denied the suggestion that Cameroonian midfielder Geremi was released this week to Newcastle to help their squad problems during the Nations Cup.

"Geremi has paid his dues to this club and it was by mutual consent that he left the club," Kenyon said.

"He is keen on playing first-team football and the prospect at Newcastle was very enticing for him."

Chelsea are required by Fifa rules to release the players two weeks before the three-week tournament.

Kenyon says they are keen on retaining the services of their four African players until just before the tournament starts to minimise the disruption at the crucial stage of the season.

"We will be in talks with the federations in Africa concerning these four players so that they can be released just before the tournament starts.