Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says owner Roman Abramovich is enjoying the club's resurgence via their academy players.
Buck confirmed the Russian's joy at the success this season of the club's home-grown young guns.
He said: "The transfer ban has led to more opportunities for the young players.
"I can't deny that if there wasn't a transfer ban we might have splurged out on one or two or three players.
"So, yes, it was some of that; it was Frank Lampard, the players that were ready, a whole collection of things that resulted in where we are now.
"It makes Mr Abramovich very happy, because he is very interested in the academy. I would guess he's one of the very few owners that have been to lots of academy matches."
The club will find out in the coming days if their appeal against their transfer ban will be successful.
But Buck would not be drawn on the matter: "This is a subject difficult to comment on, it's in litigation. The club feels Fifa was wrong, and that we did abide by the regulations."
