Chelsea FC owner Todd Boehly could make himself unpopular with Blues fans with reports suggesting the team could abandon Stamford Bridge and move elsewhere in London. The team is set to revamp Stamford Bridge, but the club has apparently looked at the idea of moving to nearby Earls Court, leaving the iconic Stamford Bridge location.
The Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) group, which is tasked with the upkeep of the club’s stadium, is currently looking at ways to improve the stadium – and those options include moving away permanently.
CPO consists of 13,000 Blues fans across the globe and involves well-known share holders including former managers Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho. Former players Frank Lampard, Marcel Desailly and group president John Terry are also involved.
The group’s latest statement has revealed that plans regarding the stadium’s renovation are due to be announced shortly, but warned that a “demolition and rebuild” of the historic Premier League ground could take up to seven years to complete.
“Estimates on the time required for demolition and rebuild vary from four years up to as much as seven years,” the statement read. “During which time the Club would need to relocate its home games.”
The statement comes after it was announced that the club has agreed a deal to buy a 1.2 acre plot of land next to the stadium. The acquisition came under heavy scrutiny with the land belonging to Stoll – a provider of homes for military veterans.
The deal is part of a £2bn expansion that will see the stadium renovated and its 40,341-capacity increased. Reports have added that the club could up and relocate to Earl’s Court, but it is believed a plan to renovate the existing location, which has stood since 1877, is preferred.
CPO’s statement will surely come as a blow to fans and heap more pressure on Boehly – who will be committing the ultimate sin if the club is to leave their historic stadium for an extended period. The entrepreneur has endured a turbulent spell since taking control of the club from Roman Abramovich in a deal worth around £4.25bn.
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The American investor has spent over £1bn on player transfers since taking control of the club in 2022 alongside Clearlake Capital but has seen little success on the field. The team have seen a mixed run of form this season with head coach Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, but ended last season in 12th place – the club’s second-lowest finish in the Premier League.
At the time of taking the reigns of the soccer franchise, the American stipulated that around £1.75bn would be invested in “further investment for the benefit of the club.” However, fans will likely be left furious if they are forced to witness the team play away from Stamford Bridge for almost a decade.
Chelsea is next in action against Brentford on Saturday with hopes of climbing further up the Premier League table.
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