Chelsea ‘hold talks’ with Premier League rival to share stadium for FOUR YEARS during £2bn Stamford Bridge upgrade
CHELSEA have reportedly been in talks with Premier League rivals Fulham over a four-year ground share while they redevelop Stamford Bridge.
American billionaire Todd Boehly and his co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali are determined for the club to have one of the greatest stadiums on the planet by 2030.
It is understood that the Blues currently have three options regarding their home ground.
One is to start work and build on a completely new site.
Another is knocking down their current home and rebuilding a new ground from scratch and the other is just to redevelop Stamford Bridge.
We reported previously how demolishing their West London ground and building a brand new one in its place on the existing site is emerging as the most likely option.
The whole project could cost a mega £2bn and a fresh report today says it could mean them playing their home games away from Stamford Bridge for FOUR YEARS.
And the Daily Mail says that will be at either Fulham’s Craven Cottage, Twickenham or Wembley.
It states that Boehly has “informally approached fellow American billionaire Shahid Khan, the Fulham owner, about using his club’s ground” during that period.
The report suggests that would involve the majority of Chelsea’s Premier League matches being played at Craven Cottage.
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But Champions League and category A top-fight fixtures may be held at either Wembley or Twickenham instead.
Chelsea have “also approached the Rugby Football Union, who are keen to expand the number of non-rugby events held at Twickenham” over the possibility.
The RFU are keen to boost their own revenues and help pay for future refurbishments of the national rugby stadium.
Craven Cottage is only around 1.6 miles walk away from Stamford Bridge but only has a capacity of 29,600 once their own stadium redevelopment work is finished this summer.
Twickenham holds 82,000 spectators, while Wembley has a capacity of 90,000.