Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been given yet another indication of just how tough it will be to make genuine progress towards a new stadium decision at Chelsea. Even as they approach 18 months of ownership of the club, the steps towards whatever comes next remain unclear.
There are avenues that could be taken but each has its own complications, pitfalls, deadlines and vast costs. The club are not closing off any potential moves at this stage. But slowly the pressure and attention will begin to turn towards what happens next.
Chelsea updates on Stamford bridge:
It is ironic in some sense that the last time a real push towards a change of home or expansion of the current venue for Chelsea came at the end of the season. It’s such a season in which they last not only won the league but also fought for the title at all. That six years has come and gone pretty quickly with nothing much more certain.
What is clear is that the owners are taking this decision very seriously. They have appointed Jason Gannon as the chief operating officer last month. He is expected to lead stadium-related plans with new director Jonathan Goldstein. He played a key role in things so far alongside Janet Marie Smith.
Gannon and Marie Smith both have previous with stadium developments. They have worked on the movement of Los Angeles Dodgers in the past decade as well as Los Angeles Rams and Chargers at the SoFi Stadium in America. They are both considered experts in their field. However, they will have work cut out to find the best possible route for Chelsea.
The unique position of Stamford Bridge in a cramped area of west London, penned in by railway stations. Moreover, viewing vistas and a recently acquired veteran housing charity plot of land makes it one of the most difficult pieces of architectural and logistical work ever.
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