Soccer

Chelsea consider move to Twickenham

Club plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge and has discussed temporary switch with RFU

Fans outside Stamford Bridge prior to the game against Aston Villa on Saturday. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Fans outside Stamford Bridge prior to the game against Aston Villa on Saturday. Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Sun Sept 28 2014 - 12:37

Chelsea have had talks with England's rugby chiefs about moving to Twickenham for a season while Stamford Bridge is redeveloped.

The Rugby Football Union have confirmed they have already held initial talks with Chelsea but stressed they are at a very early stage.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, the RFU said: “We are regularly contacted by a variety of organisations, within and outside sport, on a wide range of opportunities concerning the use of what we believe is a world-class stadium.

“We have had an enquiry from Chelsea FC but have not had any discussions of any substance.

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“While we don’t comment on any specific confidential conversations, each request is taken on its merit, assessing a variety of factors, such as the effect on the pitch, availability, transport and local considerations and other important implications.”

Chelsea seem to have abandoned their long-held dream of building a new stadium on a new site in London in favour of redeveloping their Stamford Bridge complex.

Earlier this year Roman Abramovich’s club announced plans to redevelop the Bridge and a study commissioned by the Russian billionaire is looking at ways to bump its capacity up from 41,623 to 60,000.

That capacity would help them meet UEFA’s financial fairplay regulations. The club is looking at different options, including acquiring land neighbouring the existing Stamford Bridge stadium.

A Chelsea spokesman told the newspaper: “We’re investigating different scenarios as part of the consultation process we started earlier this year, but have had no discusssions of substance so far.”

The 82,000-seat Twickenham stadium, home to England’s rugby union team, has never hosted football matches but rugby league has been played there, as have rock concerts.

If Chelsea were to play there for a season, it could not be before 2016/17 because Twickenham, in south-west London, will be hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October next year.

The Football Association at one point had hoped to include Twickenham in its bid to host the 2018 Football World Cup but the RFU opted not to get involved.