Chelsea are in the process of discussing the possibility of breaking ground on a new stadium at Earls Court instead of renovating Stamford Bridge, according to reports.
The west London club has looked to redevelop their longstanding home and increase their ground’s capacity for a number of years, with plans renewing in earnest following the 2022 takeover of the club by co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
A full-scale refurbishment of their current stadium is believed to be the club’s first choice, with Chelsea completing the £80million purchase of the homes of 100 military veterans on a neightbouring site in April.
The purchase of the land was at the time described as ‘a significant step towards ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the club’ by CEO Jason Gannon – but it has by no means assured Chelsea of staying on their current footprint.
As per the Guardian, the club has been entertaining the alternative option of a move one mile due north to Earls Court.
Chelsea are reportedly in talks with stakeholders to build their new stadium at Earls Court
The west London club has been long hoping to upgrade and increase the capacity of their current home Stamford Bridge
Discussions are said to have been held between the club and Transport for London (TfL), one of the partners who looks after the site, and real estate developers Delancey.
But a major fly in the ointment are the wishes of the Earls Court Development Committee, who are set to bring their masterplan for redevelopment of the site to Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea councils later this week.
Their plan is not said to include a football stadium and if approved, Chelsea will be forced to go back to the drawing board.
However, Chelsea’s hope of a convenient move to the new site could be kept alive if the councils turn the proposition down – which could prompt the club to present their own plan for the area including a multi-use football stadium at the site’s Lillie Bridge depot and the possibility of more affordable housing in the area.
If the ECDC are not succesful in their presentation of the master plan, Chelsea are thought to be expecting to pay £500million for Earls Court.
Factors including the complexity of the work needed to increase capacity and upgrade Stamford Bridge are behind the Premier League side looking into other options.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks is Stamford Bridge’s proximity to the tube line and Fulham Broadway station, and the club would likely face a stand-by-stand renovation which could keep them at a temporary home for several years.
Twickenham, Wembley, and nearby Craven Cottage – the ground belonging to Premier League rivals Fulham – have all been mooted as possible short-term homes.
The move between the site is only the difference of a mile – which could endear option to fans
Any plans for renovations or upgrades could yet be put on hold amid suggestions of internal conflict between co-controlling owners Todd Boehly (left) and Clearlake Capital (director Behdad Eghbali pictured right
But while talkes have been positive between the club, the TfL and Delancey, internal trouble in west London could yet provide further stumbling blocks in Chelsea’s pursuit of a revamped ground.
The relationship between Boehly and Clearlake figurehead Behdad Eghbali has reportedly become strained in recent months, with the co-controlling owners clashing over a number of flashpoints including the post-season sacking of head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Both Boehly and Clearlake are believed to be interested in buying the other out of their partnership, but Mail Sport previously revealed that the latter entity has no intention of selling their stake.
Clearlake are majority shareholders with 61.5 per cent, while Boehly splits the remaining 38.5 per cent with two other investors.
