Jose Mourinho has told the BBC that expanding Stamford Bridge is “the next step” for Chelsea.
The club want to increase the capacity of their ground from 41,798 to 60,000 and will put out plans for consultation in a fortnight’s time.
And the Chelsea boss not only backed the redevelopment, but also seemed to confirm newspaper reports that the club may look to play home games at Wembley or Twickenham while building work is carried out.
He said: “I think it’s the next step for Chelsea. Chelsea won four Premier Leagues in the last decade, we’ve become a huge club. Stamford Bridge is always full and we feel that need [to expand].
“But I trust Mr Abramovich and the board, I don’t think too much about these details – my focus is the work on the pitch.
“The fans will follow us and if it’s Wembley or Twickenham, we will have capacity for more fans. And I think that is what Chelsea is waiting for.”
The cost of the project could stretch to £500m, which Roman Abramovich, would have to meet. In theory Chelsea could rebuild Stamford Bridge piece by piece, a project which could drag on for three or four seasons while the team continue to play at there. But a more likely option is that the club undertake the extensive redevelopment all at once with the team temporarily moving out.
Media reports have identified Twickenham and Wembley as the two most likely destinations for the Blues during the two season away from the Bridge.
While Chelsea need the added capacity, and revenue that comes with that capacity, playing their home games on a neutral field for two years will be really difficult as Chelsea’s home record is one of the best in Europe.
