Controversial Stamford Bridge plans could see Chelsea ground share with bitter Premier League rivals

Chelsea could temporarily move into Craven Cottage while Stamford Bridge undergoes a four-year revamp.

Blues chiefs have grappled with the idea of a stadium expansion since Roman Abramovich’s early years. The current 41,000 capacity is the ninth highest in the Premier League - putting Chelsea at a disadvantage to their top-flight rivals.

For context, clubs like West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle United boast bigger stadiums and, with FFP/PSR constraints becoming increasingly stringent, increasing the attendance figures would give the Blues more headroom on the balance sheet.

Abramovich met stiff competition from Chelsea Pitch Owners - a fan group set up in 1993 to ensure the ground can never be sold off - when angling for an expansion. Over 14,000 shareholders own the freehold for the Stamford Bridge pitch and parts of the stadium.

Todd Boehly is keen to reignite the idea and plans were given a boost last October when a report revealed Stoll, a charity that houses vulnerable military veterans, agreed to sell land. CPO issued a statement revealing a complete demolition and rebuild could take up to seven years.

“CPO has not yet been informed of any decision made by the Club on its future plans for the stadium,” the announcement read. “We believe their decision is due to be finalised shortly, having worked through all the available options. Board members may choose to make their own views clear on the process but cannot of course do so until there is a proposal, and its detail can be properly considered.

“As we understand it, although the purchase of the Stoll site has been agreed, it will be some considerable time before the site can be vacated. In addition, a new planning application would be required, even though some of that work was done during the earlier project under Roman Abramovich.

“Once an application has been approved, estimates on the time required for demolition and rebuild vary from four years up to as much as seven years, during which time the Club would need to relocate its home games.”

The Sun are now reporting that Chelsea could ground share with West London rivals Fulham while a 60,000-seater Stamford Bridge is rebuilt. Boehly is understood to have held informal discussions with Cottagers owner Shahid Khan over the proposed move.

But Fulham’s 26,000 capacity would mean a dramatic drop-off in matchday revenue - that could last up to seven years. Other stadiums that are mentioned include Wembley - previously used by Tottenham Hotspur during their upgrade - and Twickenham.