Chelsea may accelerate work on their new home ground project following Clearlake Capital's acquisition of full control over the London club.
According to reports from The Athletic, developing the club's infrastructure has become a key priority for the new owners after Todd Boehly's exit from the hierarchy. Alongside the stadium, plans are in place to modernise the Cobham training facility, which dates back to 2004.
The future of Stamford Bridge remains a pressing concern. The club has already conceded that piecemeal renovations without relocating are not feasible. Currently, two main options are being considered:
- A complete demolition and extensive redevelopment of the existing stadium from the ground up;
- Relocating to a new site nearby, with the site of the former Earls Court exhibition centre, encompassing 40 acres and located less than a mile from the current ground, appearing to be the most likely option.
However, Chelsea cannot unilaterally vacate Stamford Bridge. Since the 1990s, the land under the stadium has been owned outright by Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO), an organisation established to protect the ground from developers, who granted Chelsea a 199-year lease. Without official approval from the CPO, any relocation is off the cards, and the supporters' trust has the legal right to strip the club of its name, Chelsea Football Club Limited.
Currently, the CPO comprises around 16,000 shareholders from 88 countries. CPO chairman Chris Isitt has dismissed rumours about obstructing the project, emphasising that the club has yet to submit any formal proposals. Any future steps taken by the new owners will require the consent of the fans.
