Chelsea football chief Frank Arnesen has posted two scouts to this month's African Nations Cup in Ghana.

"You know when you're buying an African player that's the rule," Arnesen told BBC Sport over complaints about the timing of the tournament. "You have to deal with that and it's a must for us to be at the Nations Cup.

"It's not fair for the European leagues to lose players in a period that's very important."

Arnesen insists Chelsea are already aware of every player competing and that the tournament is not a place to uncover fresh talent, rather monitor players for the future.

"Over the past 20 years the progression of African players has been explosive," said Arnesen. "They're playing on the highest level and they're doing well and that's why everyone is looking at them.

"Maybe 10 or 15 years ago you knew a few players from every team but not 11.

"Now you go out and see Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and you know all 11 players and even the bench.

"The Nations Cup is now on a level with the South American and European Championships."