Chelsea are reportedly looking into the possibility of their women's team sharing a ground with League One club, AFC Wimbledon.
The two teams have a history of sharing a stadium after Chelsea bought Kingsmeadow from Wimbledon in 2015. However, the Dons left Kingsmeadow in 2020 to move into their new stadium at Plough Lane, near the site of the original ground.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea are ‘exploring' the option of embarking on a new ground share with Wimbledon.
It is unclear whether the potential move would affect how often Sonia Bompastor's side plays at Stamford Bridge. The stadium is primarily used for Women's Champions League games and key Women's Super League fixtures, although the club have struggled to match the impressive attendances that their rivals Arsenal enjoy at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea eyeing capacity increase
In regard to Plough Lane, the stadium offers the opportunity for Chelsea Women to increase their capacity from just under 5,000 supporters at Kingsmeadow to 9,000 at Wimbledon's current home. There is a belief that the venue is seen as a suitable ‘middle ground' between Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge.
The move would need to earn the support of Wimbledon supporters' group, the Dons Trust, who are the majority shareholders of the League One club. Key decisions, such as a potential ground share, will require a vote before anything concrete is put into place.
The report also notes that Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium is nearby, although Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road is not being considered as a ground share option.
FGG says: Is the upheaval necessary?
Chelsea Women may play games at Stamford Bridge, but for the most part, Kingsmeadow is seen as their home venue. While they may have previously shared the ground with Wimbledon, the players and fans have certainly made it their own ground and a stadium where the reigning WSL champions have enjoyed so much success. There may also be some questions about whether it is necessary to leave a familiar venue for another stadium just five miles away.
The other concern is that a move to Plough Lane may dissuade the club from hosting as many matches as they currently do at Stamford Bridge. While attendances have not always been great at the 40,000-seater stadium, the club's ownership should be focusing on ways to encourage supporters through the gates, as Arsenal have done at the Emirates.
In truth, it is difficult to pass a full judgment on the proposal when the club only appear to be exploring the option at this early stage.