Page "Chelsea F.C." Paragraph 21

The current club ownership have stated that a larger stadium is necessary in order for Chelsea to stay competitive with rival clubs who have significantly larger stadia, such as Arsenal and Manchester United.

Owing to its location next to a main road and two railway lines, fans can only enter the ground via the Fulham Road exits, which places constraints on expansion due to health and safety regulations.

The club have consistently affirmed their desire to keep Chelsea at their current home, but Chelsea have nonetheless been linked with a move to various nearby sites, including the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Battersea Power Station and the Chelsea Barracks.

On 3 October 2011, Chelsea made a proposal to CPO shareholders to buy back the freehold to the land on which Stamford Bridge sits, stating that " buying back the freehold removes a potential hurdle should a suitable site become available in the future ".

The proposal was voted down by CPO shareholders.

In May 2012, the club made a formal bid to purchase Battersea Power Station, with a view to developing the site into a 60, 000 seater stadium.

Chelsea released artistic impressions of the proposed stadium at the Battersea site on 22 June 2012 .< ref >