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The stated ambition of Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is 'to turn the world blue' but one major obstacle in the way of that ambition has been the lack of the club's presence in the US market. Market research shows that they have about 200,000 'supporters' in the States compared with four million followers of Manchester United. Now that they may change after the conclusion of a major deal with American sports and entertainment group, AEG. As well as owning the Millennium Dome, AEG are one of the leading forces in North American soccer. The group owns or operates four Major League Soccer club franchises: LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire, DC United and Houston 1836. There will be a special relationship with MLS champions LA Galaxy that will give Jose Mourinho first option to sign Galaxy players and allow his young players out on loan to get experience in the MLS. The clubs will exchange coaching and medical knowledge and personnel. AEG will stage a four-team pre-season tournament every two years with Chelsea expected to make £2m from gate receipts. Chelsea have staged pre-season tours in the States for the past two years. The club's sees the US as one of its key target markets and wants to become the most popular European club there.
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