Chelsea open talks with council over major Cobham training ground overhaul

Chelsea have opened talks with Elmbridge Borough Council over a major overhaul of their famous Cobham training ground, BBC reports.

The Blues have also started talking to external stakeholders about their plans.

The project has been discussed internally for some time as Chelsea look to improve their training facilities back towards the highest level in world football.

Chelsea’s Cobham training centre was one of the finest facilities in world football when it opened in 2004 under former owner Roman Abramovich.

It’s still a high-quality base, but Chelsea risk being left behind, with several clubs in England and Europe setting up more modern, advanced facilities.

After the 2022 takeover, the Boehly-Clearlake ownership group pledged to improve the club’s training infrastructure for both the men’s, women’s and academy teams.

Former academy director Neil Bath led the project before leaving in July 2024. But he helped Chelsea secure land opposite the entrance to the current training ground before leaving.

That could potentially give the club more room to expand beyond its current 40-acre site.

Conversations with the council are still in the early stages, so they’re informal and non-binding. But pre-application talks are important before submitting a formal proposal.

They allow the club to root out potential issues and understand where support or opposition could come from, including residents, environmental considerations, and other planning matters.

Chelsea have already improved the security, fencing, and outlook of the Cobham training ground. Their plans for the training ground are also part of a broader effort to improve their infrastructure.

Chelsea still have the long-term future of their iconic home Stamford Bridge to worry about. At the moment, they’re reportedly considering two options.

One is a complete redevelopment of the stadium, which could force Chelsea to play home matches elsewhere during construction, with Wembley Stadium among the possible temporary venues.

The other option is a move to Earls Court, where Chelsea could look to become part of the wider redevelopment of the west London site that once housed the Earls Court Exhibition Centre.