Scudamore backs Chelsea spree

"We live in such times of heightened awareness," he said, shortly after arriving in Malaysia to promote the FA Premier League Asia Cup.

"Chelsea can't afford to go on doing this and there will be a point fairly soon when it will all settle down.

"I believe, though, that the uncertainty in the wake of Chelsea's activities has been good for us. As chief executive of the Premier League I would like to have different clubs winning it every year.

"It's the nature of the game that everyone tries to steal a march on the opposition. If you look at the press clippings, there was similar concern when Everton paid £300 for a player and the same thing happened when the ' mercenaries' arrived from Scotland.

"The important thing is that clubs act responsibly and operate within their means. It's important Chelsea's actions do not prompt another hyperinflationary period with other clubs over-stretching themselves.

"There is also no indication that more money guarantees you success. These days you are dealing with the thin end of the market because there is so much talent now in the Premier League that improving your squad significantly is becoming more difficult. As long as it doesn't lead to certain clubs winning every match. One of the attractions of the Premier League is that, in the past few years, the champion clubs have lost more and more matches.

"Bolton can beat Manchester United and Blackburn can do the double over Arsenal. As long as that continues, we'll be okay."

Another major worry among the clubs outside the elite is that the price of relegation is too high, that the bailiff is knocking at the door as soon as the final ball is kicked.

"The problem is that when you're steering a supertanker, it's damn hard to change direction at short notice," said Scudamore. "Now hyper inflation has gone from the game, the clubs can begin to plan realistically for relegation, to know where incomes are going to be further out.

"The concept of the two-year parachute payment means that, as long as you have organised yourself properly, you can advance that second year and make it a full payment in the first year out of the Premier League.

"What has happened, however, is that the value of the transfer market has dropped and that's the bit for which people haven't budgeted.

"If you look back at Ipswich, they bargained on the fact that, if they got into trouble, they could sell, liquidate and effect a rescue. But the transfer market was substantially reduced.

"If clubs organise themselves, however, put players on shorter contracts and don't put a business plan together which is dependant on a false set of values, there is a way to make sure you don't get into too much difficulty."

The five-day tournament involving Chelsea, Newcastle, Birmingham and the Malaysian national side is a first for the Premier League and Scudamore will assess the reaction before deciding whether to make it an annual event on the Asian continent.

There are some here who are concerned that interest in the Premier League product could drop off now that David Beckham has departed for Spain, but Scudamore disagrees.

"We always create new icons," he says confidently. "There will be a new David Beckham, whether it be Wayne Rooney or someone else."