GOVERNMENT cash could ease the way for Chelsea to move from Stamford Bridge to a new site at Earl’s Court.
Manchester United’s plans to knock down Old Trafford and build a new 100,000-capacity ground as the centrepiece of an entertainment and housing complex have been earmarked for funding from the Government.
Chelsea could be set to leave Stamford Bridge behind for a new stadium[/caption]
And a similar approach from Whitehall to allow the redevelopment of the current Stamford Bridge for housing would be backed by planning chiefs in Chelsea’s home borough.
Chelsea have been linked with a move away from their home since 1905 for nearly two decades.
Plans for a £500m total rebuild for a new 60,000-capacity venue were finally confirmed in 2015.
Those plans, though, were scrapped in 2018 after former owner Roman Abramovich had his “golden visa” to stay in the UK scrapped by the then-Government following the Salisbury poisoning attack by Russian agents.
Last year, the Blues were again linked with a possible move to Earl’s Court, a mile from the ground, where the exhibition and concert centre was closed in 2014 and demolished 12 months later.
The latest plans for the redevelopment of the site include 4,000 homes, a shopping centre and a park, with no provision for a football stadium.
However, in a meeting with residents this week, Hammersmith and Fulham Council officers put the idea of the club moving to Earl’s Court back on the agenda.
The Council, which suggested there might be Government funding similar to the United plan available, now says that if the club and the Chelsea Pitch Owners – the supporter group which owns the freehold of the Stamford Bridge site – agreed on a move, it would support the proposal.
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Hammersmith and Fulham would then seek to use the 14-acre current stadium site to meet its housing needs and rejuvenate the area.
The CPO was given the freehold by former owner Ken Bates after he won his battle with development companies who threatened to bulldoze the club into the ground in the 1990s.
Provisions of that deal means that the CPO can block the club moving to another site and playing under the name of Chelsea FC without their consent.
Up in Manchester, United are planning to build a £2billion, 100,000-seater stadium.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed that she will champion the regeneration project put forward by Man Utd’s stadium task force.
The project will not only make changes to the Man Utd stadium, but will also lead to new housing, commercial and public spaces.
Red Devils bosses are yet to make a final decision on refurbishing Old Trafford or knocking it down to build a brand-new home.
While United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has pushed for a new “Wembley of the north” project.
It’s reported that a final decision will be made before the end of the current season.
Chelsea ratings vs Wolves: Chalobah back with a bang but Sanchez drops 2/10 horror show
By Lloyd Canfiel
CHELSEA made sure to send their fans home happy on Blue Monday thanks to inspired performances from their defenders.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and then a Noni Madueke finish created by the returning Trevoh Chalobah covered up a pretty quiet attacking display and a mistake from their goalkeeper.
Lloyd Canfield rates how Blues’ stars got on against Wolves…
Robert Sanchez – 2
Up to his usual tricks when passing out from the back, gifting it to the Wolves attack waiting to pounce on a mistake.
That was before he dropped an in-swinging corner, gifting Wolves an equaliser before half-time.
Reece James – 9
Was tasked with arguably the hardest job of the night, stopping Wolves’ threatening left side of Ait-Nouri and Cunha, the latter of whom he dominated throughout the game.
Was strong defensively, always stepping in with a tackle at the crucial moment and drove the team forwards well too, always offering a shot with his lethal long-range efforts.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 8
Continued his impressive hot-streak in front of goal of late as he reacted first to a loose ball in the box and finished like a striker.
The ‘Uncle’ of the Chelsea side at just 28-years-old had another game to be proud of.
Trevoh Chalobah – 9
His first game back in a Chelsea shirt after being recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace couldn’t have gone much better.
The fans chanted his name throughout as he proved strong in the air and imperial across the ground.
Slide tackles, blocks, headed assists, the lot. Trev had it all but a clean sheet tonight and a goal to his name tonight (Which he could’ve had as well).
Marc Cucurella – 8
Solid defensively and came up with a crucial goal to restore Chelsea’s lead.
A great right-footed finish as he was falling to the floor saw the Spaniard prove why he is so good inverting from fullback.
Moises Caicedo – 7
Started brightly, putting a bad game last time out behind him and was back to the Caicedo that Chelsea fans have loved this season.
Recovered well from what looked like a nasty tackle to put in a good a strong second-half performance too.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6
A rare Premier League start offered KDH to show what he can do, and maybe put himself in the shop window for a January move.
Was combative in midfield, and his flick for Marc Cucurella’s goal proved why he can be a threat in the Premier League as he was in a great position.
Noni Madueke – 8
A quiet first half was met by a wicked second half in which we saw the same Noni Madueke we saw in the reverse fixture after his infamous Instagram mistake.
He was Chelsea’s most dangerous attacker on the night, with a great cross leading to Marc Cucurella’s goal, before stealing in to head home Chelsea’s third of the night.
Cole Palmer – 4
The ice cold superstar we’ve become accustomed to seeing seemed a bit off the boil tonight.
He came under a few more nasty tackles and seemed a bit put off by that after carrying an injury in the week.
Pedro Neto – 4
Was jeered and booed by the visiting fans of his former club throughout the game.
Despite some dangerous running, he failed to really create anything meaningful and looks better on the right-hand side.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Had one good run in the first half, but was otherwise pretty quiet.
He did improve in the second half, as his hard work won the free-kick which Chelsea added their third goal from and he did put the ball in the back of the net, only for the linesman to rule it out as offside.
SUBS
Jadon Sancho (Pedro Neto, 62) – 6
Chelsea instantly looked better when he came on.
Just seems to add a layer of control to the Blues on the wing, and showed more of the flair and good feet we’ve been getting used to from him here.
Axel Disasi (Reece James, 78) – 5
Fans weren’t best pleased with him simply coming on, and would’ve preferred to see Josh Acheampong.
That said, he did nothing wrong.
Malo Gusto (Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 78) – 6
Did well in the few minutes he had to play, nothing spectacular but was solid on the left side.
Tyrique George (Noni Madueke, 83) – 5
Wasn’t given enough time to make a meaningful impact on the game.
Joao Felix (Cole Palmer, 83) – 5
Wasn’t given enough time to make a meaningful impact on the game.
