Buying yachts is only fun until you’ve bought all of them. So what then does a billionaire with five-hundred million pounds burning a hole in his pocket do? He builds London and Chelsea FC a new-age Parthenon because monuments last longer than some bloodlines.
Chelsea’s new future home will require the demolition of nearly everything in its surrounding area. And for what? Well, according to the team’s official statement:
– Stadium seating capacity to expand from 41,600 to 60,000 spectators
– An outstanding view of the stadium from every seat
– An arena designed to create an exciting atmosphere
– Direct access to and from Fulham Broadway Station, making travel more efficient
– Stadium facilities improved for every area
source: ChelseaFC.com
Love it when official building plans of this expense get metaphysical by the third bullet point. Anyway, Abramovich may want to call Jerry Jones (owner of the Dallas Cowboys) and ask how much “atmosphere” an impressive structuring of building materials can create. Maybe Roman should skimp on a golden latrine or two to turn Cesc Fabregas into Paul Pogba.
I digress.
If the stadium actually looks like any of the renderings below (and honestly, when do they ever?) I’m excited to make it my new Mecca.
In pictures: This is what Chelsea's new stadium could look like https://t.co/3mALIfO8Me pic.twitter.com/yeJhMjj4wC
— WIRED UK (@WiredUK) December 1, 2015
It’s not an announcement of a new big-money signing but this is still big news for the club. Chelsea FC has been hampered by one of the smaller stadiums in the Premier League and the renovations should give the club even more funding to compete with the other giants of world football.
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The process of getting these renovations over and done with may be long and painful for fans who have to travel to the Blues’ temporary but hopefully it does not impact the on-field product. Fans and supporters pay their hard-earned money to see their team play and win, not to see a stadium.