Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Chelsea considering Olympic Stadium groundshare with West Ham - source

The Olympic Stadium is on Chelsea's shortlist of possible temporary homes during the planned redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, a club source has confirmed to ESPN FC.

Plans for a new 60,000-seater stadium on the site of Stamford Bridge are being assessed by Hammersmith & Fulham council, and Chelsea are already looking to strike a deal to secure another venue while they await a reply, which is expected this summer.

Chelsea would need to play elsewhere for three seasons during the lengthy construction phase of the £500 million project, and while Wembley remains the club's preferred choice, the Olympic Stadium -- West Ham's home from next term -- and Twickenham have also been considered.

Twickenham is thought to be the least likely option, due in part to the strength of opposition from local residents. The Olympic Stadium's excellent transport links and the fact that it has been converted specifically for use as a football stadium -- at a cost of more than £250m -- make it an attractive possibility.

West Ham's contract with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) allows for a groundshare at the Olympic Stadium and would actually secure them a reduction in their £2.5m-a-year rent, though they would have to agree to house their London rivals.

Tottenham are also in talks with the Football Association over playing at Wembley while their own stadium project gathers pace, and last month sources told ESPN FC that they were closing in on a deal to play at the home of English football for at least the 2017-18 season.

^ Back to Top ^