Chelsea has been in talks about leaving Stamford Bridge and relocating to Earl's Court as it seeks a solution for its plans to build a larger stadium. Increasing the capacity is the owners' top priority, and difficulties in redeveloping the current stadium have led the club to explore new locations in West London.

A perfect idea? Not this time

Discussions were held with Transport for London, one of the partners managing the Earl's Court site, and property developer Delancey. While the Earl's Court Development Committee (ECDC) aims to build a multifunctional complex there, their master plan, which will be presented next week to the councils of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, does not include a football stadium. If the plan is approved, Chelsea's chances of leaving Stamford Bridge, which currently holds around 40,000 spectators, will be significantly reduced.

Chelsea is believed to have drawn up plans based on the Earl's Court site, identifying the Lillie Bridge Depot as a potential area for development. Jason Gannon, the club's managing director, has held productive talks with both Transport for London and Delancey. If Chelsea were to bid for Earl's Court, the club would be facing a cost of around £500 million. A potential stumbling block for Chelsea is the ongoing internal conflict between the co-owners. Clearlake Capital, the majority shareholder, and Todd Boehly are reportedly seeking ways to buy each other out of their shares.

© Brent Flanders (cc: by-nc-nd)

An ECDC spokesperson said: There are no plans for Chelsea FC to move to Earl's Court in our proposals. We have a fully detailed scheme that will soon be registered with both local authorities, prioritizing the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture, and open spaces through a well-designed and considered plan [...].

A tough renovation ahead

In that case, Chelsea's only option would be to redevelop the current stadium, either through a renovation or by demolishing and building a new one. To facilitate this, the club recently acquired nearby land that previously housed a veterans' home. However, this solution also presents challenges. The biggest obstacle is likely the proximity of the underground line, which would complicate construction, as well as the need for a temporary move to another stadium. Additionally, any move away from Stamford Bridge would require approval from 76% of Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO), a group of fans who own the rights to the land on which the current stadium stands. This ownership structure, established in the 1990s, was designed to prevent the club from selling the stadium.

© Brent Flanders (cc: by-nc-nd)