Chelsea’s new owners are set to invest in a major upgrade to Stamford Bridge, with a series of renovations planned, it has been revealed.
As part of the takeover bid for Chelsea, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital had to promise funds would be made available to renovate or rebuild Chelsea’s iconic stadium.
Previous owner Roman Abramovich had plans to do so before the Russian-born former Blue was sanctioned by the United Kingdom government and sold the club to the consortium.
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Some of the Blues’ plans for renovating have been revealed, as the club appear to be targeting minor changes to begin.
As reported by The Telegraph, Boehly, Chelsea’s co-owner, has given control of the project to Janet Marie Smith, an executive who has renovated some of the most notable sporting venues in the United States.
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Boehly knows Smith from her time renovating the Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the MLB team that Boehly co-owns.
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She has also renovated the Atlanta Braves’ Turner Field and Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, another MLB team which is owned by the same group of investors that control Liverpool.
Smith’s resume is second to none and she will add the renovation of Stamford Bridge to her impressive portfolio.
Chelsea’s new owners are said to want a greater sense of belonging for Chelsea fans around Stamford Bridge when they arrive on matchdays, and also to spell out the Blues’ identity to travelling fans.
The first plans that have been revealed are to change the West Stand, with a new metre-high illuminated set of letters to spell out ‘Chelsea FC’, while a new and larger crest will be put near the main reception.
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Chelsea already have a banner showing the club honours, with the renovations seeing a new banner installed with images of the full set of trophies won in Chelsea’s history.
Furthermore, a ‘kinetic wall’ will be illuminated on the West Stand, with the green tinted windows now set to be changed to blue with vinyl covering.
The East Stand will be re-painted with a new mural, similar to the one that already exists at The Shed End. A new heritage crest will also be put on the club’s museum as part of the plans.
The Shed End will see a new mural, also, featuring words from fan chants planned for this area. A new sign will be placed here too, with LED screens on the outside to communicate with supporters - which will also be placed at The West Stand.
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As well as renovations to the stadium, Boehly and Clearlake Capital are planning to make further changes around Fulham Broadway as the only acces point to Stamford Bridge but these will be carried out in due course.
The planning application to the council has stated that the renovations will ‘refresh the stadium appearance while also drawing upon key design features that reference the club’s long history at Stamford Bridge’.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will be focusing on the on-the-pitch factors as they look to challenge at the top of the Premier League this season.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Todd Boehly, Football