Chelsea owner Todd Boehly ‘leaning towards KNOCKING DOWN Stamford Bridge’, ‘most likely option’ with new stadium

CHELSEA could demolish Stamford Bridge and build a shiny new stadium on the existing site, reports say.

Todd Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali want the Blues to have one of the best arenas in Europe.

3

3

3

According to the Telegraph, new talks are currently ongoing about their stadium project.

Although the earliest possible move-in date for a potential plan is 2030.

The most likely option is said to be the demolition of Stamford Bridge in order to build a brand new stadium on the same site, capable of holding at least 55,000 fans.

Other options include redeveloping Stamford Bridge or moving out entirely.

The current site holds around 40,000 fans, which is less than any other Big Six club can accommodate on their site.

While a complete rebuild is believed to be the most realistic option, the Telegraph says a final decision has not yet been made.

But the report claims Chelsea need to budget around £1.5bn for their stadium project.

The Blues are currently in talks with the Chelsea Pitch Owners [CPO] and to see if they were successful with a £50million bid to buy land next to Stamford Bridge.

Purchasing the land, currently owned by the Stoll housing association, would create enough space to build a new stadium on the existing site.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON SOCCER

CPO Chairman Chris Isitt said: “The CPO is having positive discussions with the club about the redevelopment.

“We understand that this is a complicated project that needs to be carefully considered, but we share a common goal, which is to have the best stadium in London.”

Building a new stadium is said to be the most popular vote among fans and the CPO.

It would reportedly take at least five years to demolish the bridge and rebuild it on the same site.

During this time, the Blues would be forced to find another venue for their home games.

Wembley and Craven Cottage, home of Fulham, are said to be possible options.

Alternatively, a complete move would allow Chelsea to build a massive new, state-of-the-art stadium.

However, it’s believed to be the least popular option among fans, as owners Boehly and Clearlake Capital clarified that a move would only happen with CPO approval.

The second most popular option with fans and the CPO is redevelopment of the existing site, as Liverpool are currently doing with Anfield.

But unlike the Reds, the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge could reportedly involve the closure of parts of the stadium while the stands are rebuilt.

That would bother fans on matchdays.

The Telegraph says it would also take longer and could even be more expensive than building an entirely new stadium and remains unlikely.

Stamford Bridge has been home to Chelsea since 1905 and building a new stadium on the current site, as previously planned by previous owner Roman Abramovich, is seen as the most likely option.