Roman Abramovich had once hoped to invest around £1billion into a new Chelsea stadium, but was forced to shelf the plans after his visa expired and an “unfavourable investment climate”
Chelsea were forced to park their £1billion investment plans for a new stadium in 2018.
The Blues cited that “the decision was made due to the current unfavourable investment climate.”
However, Roman Abramovich entrepreneurial visa expired in April 2018, and the 54-year-old was able to secure an Israeli passport later that year, but he has only used it to visit his family.
It was believed that Abramovich was reluctant to invest in a country where he had been denied a visa.
The club had harboured plans to transform their home of 113 years into a 60,000-seat arena, but those plans still remain on the shelf.
Stamford Bridge currently holds 40,834 fans, making it the smallest stadium in the ‘big six’.
In fact, Chelsea’s home holds fewer fans than both Villa Park, the London Stadium, and St James Park, and Stamford Bridge just beats out Elland Road and Goodison Park for capacity.
Chelsea had once planned to reinvent Battersea Power Station into their new stadium.
The Blues had wanted to turn the site into a 60,000 all-seater ground, but still keeping the landmark’s famous four chimneys as part of the stadium.
Chelsea had been given the green light for their Stamford Bridge plans from Hammersmith and Fulham council last year, while the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, had also given the thumbs up.
Instead, the plans never left the blueprint, and Chelsea are still waiting for an upgrade to their home.
Source:Operanewsapp.com
