A week after the club failed in a proposal to buy back Stamford Bridge from the shareholders, Gourlay said the club faced a number of challenges but was determined to retain its status as one of the most successful brands in European football.

"We want to be number one but we have one of smallest stadiums in Europe," Gourlay told the International Football Arena here.

"We have corporate hospitality that is second to none and 30,000 season ticket holders.

"But we have a stadium slightly larger than 40,000 which drops to 38,000 on Champions League nights.

"If we don't find a solution we will get left behind.

"We have outgrown our stadium and tried every way possible to extend capacity.

"We need a 60-65,000 stadium.

"We have the eighth biggest stadium in England and the 61st biggest in Europe.

"But when you look at the activity of stadiums planned for next few years, we will fall out of top 75 which can only be restrictive to football club.

"We would never, however, consider the Olympic Stadium.

"It's just too far away from our fans.

"Our hetitage is in South-West London."

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