‘Richmond Council’s response to Chelsea fans rampaging Twickenham revealed – I’m told…’
Chelsea are weighing up plans to leave Stamford Bridge or expand their existing stadium – with Earl’s Court viewed as a possible location for a new facility.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) CEO Bill Sweeney revealed last week it would be open to the lucrative prospect of hosting the club’s games at Twickenham.
Football Insider revealed on Thursday (8 May) Chelsea could be forced to pay more than £10million a year to play at Twickenham if they redevelop Stamford Bridge.
The famous rugby arena – currently known as the Allianz Stadium for sponsorship reasons – can host up to 82,000 fans.
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 – claimed Chelsea‘s plan could hit a big stumbling block.
Chelsea’s Twickenham plan will be vetoed, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed the Richmond local council are “very much against” welcoming football crowds to their locality.
Twickenham, which originally opened in 1909, has hosted concerts and American football in the past.
Wyness claimed the almost 10-mile detour for Chelsea fans would not be an issue if the council green-lights the move.
| Club (Stadium) | Capacity |
| Man United (Old Trafford) | 74,197 |
| Tottenham (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) | 62,850 |
| West Ham (London Stadium) | 62,500 |
| Liverpool (Anfield) | 61,276 |
| Arsenal (Emirates Stadium) | 60,704 |
| Man City (Etihad Stadium) | 52,900 |
| Newcastle (St James’ Park) | 52,258 |
| Aston Villa (Villa Park) | 42,918 |
| Chelsea (Stamford Bridge) | 40,173 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “There’s a lot that will go into this.
“Twickenham has hosted other events besides rugby before, it’s a great stadium – but there are issues.
“It’s quite a way from Chelsea, but not too far. They’ve got the transport links to do it.
“However, the local council in Richmond are apparently very much against getting the football crowds into Twickenham.
“That makes me laugh, because the rugby boys can be pretty serious with their drinking and revelry.
“I’m told the football crowd is not something Richmond wants to attract.”
Chelsea holding out for £52m Nkunku bid
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (6 May) that Chelsea are confident of recouping their outlay on Christopher Nkunku if he leaves the club this summer.
The Blues paid £52million to RB Leipzig to land the forward in 2023 but he has failed to establish himself in England.
Nkunku, 27, is unhappy at Stamford Bridge and is ready to move on when the transfer opens next month.
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