Chelsea has taken their first official step towards a significant upgrade of their training centre in Cobham. Elmbridge Borough Council has confirmed that the club has commenced preliminary consultations regarding possible enhancements to the facility.
Previously, it was reported that Chelsea had opened discussions with the local council during the project's planning phase. Now, Elmbridge has officially confirmed the existence of these consultations.
However, a formal planning application has yet to be submitted. The council emphasised that these preliminary discussions are a standard part of the planning process, enabling the club to engage with relevant specialists about potential projects.
"We can confirm that preliminary discussions have taken place regarding the training base of Chelsea Football Club in Cobham," the council stated.
Elmbridge also noted that the consultations do not guarantee that any future application will be approved or supported. Should Chelsea officially present a project, it will go through the regular procedure, including public consultations.
The current Chelsea training centre was built in 2004 under Roman Abramovich. At the time of its opening, it was regarded as one of the most modern facilities in English football; however, many competitors' infrastructures have significantly progressed since then.
After the club was acquired by a consortium consisting of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly in 2022, upgrading Cobham has become one of the owners' infrastructure priorities. The club is now moving on to the next stage — discussing potential expansion and renovation of the complex.
