Chelsea face ‘massive’ stadium issue after new blow
Chelsea’s stadium plans have hit a roadblock after the local council approved another project to be built at Earl’s Court.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who does not know how Chelsea will move forward in their plans to build a new stadium.
Chelsea had lined up Earl’s Court for a new stadium with complications surrounding how they would manage to expand Stamford Bridge.
Todd Boehly could leave the stadium situation at Chelsea to the next owners, with any project expected to be highly expensive.
Chelsea facing ‘nightmare project’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Earl’s Court “was the only real option” for Chelsea to build a new stadium.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that the club have got a massive problem on their hands to resolve the issue.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, look, I’ve been involved in about six different stadium projects in my career in football, and this is one that I am glad that I am nowhere near.
“This is a nightmare project for Chelsea right now. And yes, the local council giving the green light for the Earl’s Court Development Company for a retail and business complex is another blow to Chelsea, certainly. It would appear that Earls Court was the only real option if they were to build away from Stamford Bridge, but we also know that there are massive problems around regenerating Stamford Bridge as well.
“Not only is it the Chelsea pitch-owner situation, but the fact is if they had to knock down stands and rebuild them at Stamford Bridge, they’d be reduced to something like a 25,000 capacity during the building of those stands. So they’ve got real issues around that.”
Chelsea stadium may not be done until 2042
Boehly has previously said a new stadium for Chelsea may not be built until 2042 which has posed a question mark over whether it will ever come to fruition under the American owner.
Stamford Bridge currently holds just over 40,000 spectators, which is far less than any other top six club.
Chelsea therefore makes less match day revenue, and more clubs have started expanding or building new stadiums to keep up with their rivals.