Boardroom Battle Between Boehly and Eghbali Could Shape Stamford Bridge’s Future
With co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali apparently mired in a conflict over the future of the club and its famous home, Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s plans for a stadium make-over stand still.
Key players in Clearlake Capital, Boehly and Eghbali, apparently trying to buy each other out, are driving tensions in the Chelsea boardroom. The club’s direction rests on a thin line since the result of this inner conflict might fundamentally change Chelsea’s stadium design and general approach.
Two Views on the Future
The Sun claims that should Eghbali triumph, Chelsea will stay at Stamford Bridge while plans to transform the current ground into a 55,000-seat stadium remain under progress. His plan calls for building concrete decks over the nearby railway lines and rebuilding the west stand, therefore preventing a total demolition of the existing stadium.
On the other hand, Boehly’s preferred choice is to relocate and construct a brand-new 60,000-capacity stadium at Earl’s Court, therefore separating the club from its ancestral site.
A source close to the club revealed:
“There is a growing realisation that Earl’s Court can’t be done, while Boehly could be out of the club soon. If Todd Boehly leaves, then the club are expected to push forward on plans to remain at Stamford Bridge and work towards a solution for a 55,000-capacity stadium.”
As the power struggle continues, Chelsea’s future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, with the redevelopment plans hinging on the outcome of this boardroom battle.
