Todd Boehly ends fears of stadium re-location as owners commits to Stamford Bridge redevelopment #CFC

GOING NOWHERE 

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly ‘commits to massive Stamford Bridge redevelopment’ ending fears of Blues moving away from historic home

Chelsea will NOT be departing Stamford Bridge with owner Todd Boehly committed to a massive redevelopment of the stadium.

There were fears from fans that the Blues could leave their historic home in the future, which has long been mooted.

The ground’s capacity of just under 42,000 is the smallest of any of the ‘Big Six’ sides.

New locations have been considered in the past, with it reported last month how Boehly was weighing up moving to a 60,000-seater stadium in Earl’s Court.

Previous owner Roman Abromovich also considered moving to Earl’s Court, but plans were abandoned in 2010 after the Hammersmith and Fulham Council rejected the proposal.

But, according to SunSport, Boehly has promised the stadium freeholder that he will be expanding Stamford Bridge as opposed to leaving.

Chelsea Pitch Owners – the shareholder group that owns the ground’s freehold – confirmed Boehly’s intentions.

A statement read: “The new owners have committed to redevelopment of the stadium.

“So it is anticipated the group’s workload will increase as this project begins to take shape.”

Should the west London giants depart Stamford Bridge without the permission of the Chelsea Pitch Owners, they would have to change their name.

That is because Chelsea Pitch Owners own the naming rights of the Blues, while also owning the freehold of the stadium with a 180-year lease.

Meanwhile, Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta has revealed how Boehly was instrumental in convincing him to sign a new deal at the club.

Azpilicueta, 33, looked set to link up with Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer when his contract expired, only to make a U-turn on his decision.

He remarked: “At Chelsea I played less than 30 games and I was already a free agent.

“It had never happened to me in my life. But the new owners arrived and they showed me the desire to stay with me”.

The defender added: “London is my home and my children speak English better than Spanish.

“When I made the decision I think [Barcelona head coach] Xavi understood it. If things are clear, they are understood.”