Business affairs director Paul Smith and Jose Mourinho are eyeing a lucrative tour to China

The club have previously discussed expanding the Chelsea brand globally, especially in Asia and America.

Chelsea also view their link with China as an opportunity to help the country's football development.

Business affairs director Paul Smith said: "We will take our first team and play games on the mainland. We see this as a long-term project."

Chelsea are in partnership with the Chinese Football Association to train grassroots players and also have their eye on the country's huge untapped market.

Team China have spent the past two weeks based at the Blues' Cobham training headquarters as part of a two-week tour that forms part of their preparations for the Olympics in Beijing next year.

Seven players from the China squad were sent home after a mass brawl during a friendly with QPR last Wednesday.