Chelsea to leave Stamford Bridge? Blues in talks over building new stadium with £500m plans being discussed

Chelsea could be set to leave their Stamford Bridge home with the Blues in talks to build a new stadium in west London with a bigger capacity.

• • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Blues have held talks with Transport for London and real estate developers Delancey over a potential move to a site at Earl’s Court, according to The Guardian. The club are determined to increase their home capacity from 42,000 but have been unable to make progress in developing their Stamford Bridge home. That has led Chelsea to look for a fresh site and draw up plans for a new stadium. It’s estimated that the site at Earl’s Court would set Chelsea back around £500 million ($653m).

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      THE BIGGER PICTURE

      Chelsea face difficulties redeveloping Stamford Bridge due to the stadium’s location next to a tube line. A move away from the famous ground is therefore an alternative option but also fraught with complications. The freehold of Stamford Bridge is held by Chelsea Pitch Owners and the company could potentially block any move away. Chelsea also face a potential obstacle in the shape of the Earl’s Court Development Committee (ECDC) which wants to build a development and has no plans to include a stadium.

      The ECDC released the following the statement on Tuesday. “There is no plan within our plans for Chelsea FC to relocate to the Earl’s Court site. We have a fully detailed design, shortly to be registered with both local authorities, which prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture and open space through a well-designed and considered masterplan which has evolved over four years of engagement.”

      • DID YOU KNOW?

        Chelsea’s plans for a new ground may also be complicated by a current power struggle between owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. The two parties are eager to buy each other out, with Boehly searching for a quick resolution to the current civil war.

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        WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA

        Chelsea have not ruled out staying at Stamford Bridge but are clearly exploring other options in a bid to boost capacity for home games. The Blues travel to Bournemouth and West Ham in their next two Premier League games before returning to Stamford Bridge to face Barrow in the third round of the EFL Cup.