One of Chelsea’s biggest Premier League rivals, Manchester United, have just announced plans to build a new stadium that will replace Old Trafford.
Sim Jim Ratcliffe confirmed the news, with the plans being to further increase their seated capacity to 100,000.
The projected figures would make it the largest stadium in the country, however also be one of the most expensive ever constructed. It is expected to cost in the region of £2billion.
Chelsea are still ahead of United in terms of where the club is as a whole, but will be wary that they could significantly fall behind due to the capacity of their current stadium, Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge plans amid Manchester United new stadium announcement
The Blues’ ground can hold just over 40,000 supporters, and has been the home of the club for their 120 years as a football club, with a number of renovations being made to it throughout the years.
Ever since Todd Boehly and co became owners of the Blues in 2022, it has been one of their main objectives to address the stadium in order for it to be more in line with their position as one of Europe’s elite clubs.
It was predicted that Chelsea may need six years away from their home ground if they chose to redevelop Stamford Bridge, with Tottenham doing something similar with Wembley before moving into their new ground.
The Blues took great strides towards as Chelsea bought the site surrounding Stamford Bridge, allowing them an opportunity to expand on their current stadium.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghabli disagreement
The option to move away from their home of more of a century remains on the cards, however the switch would likely cause anger amongst matchgoing fans.
The situation involving the home stadium is one of the things Boehly and Behdad Eghbali disagree on, with a rift between the two owners being reported earlier this season.
A meeting between the two saw both parties agree that something needed to change, however neither wanting to step away from the project in West London.
Chelsea fans mostly sided with Boehly at the time, however recent protests outside Stamford Bridge saw the American face the brunt of their criticism.