 In the early 1970s , the club 's owners announced a modernisation of Stamford Bridge with plans for a state @-@ of @-@ the @-@ art 50 @,@ 000 all @-@ seater stadium . Work began on the East Stand in 1972 but the project was beset with problems and was never completed ; the cost brought the club close to bankruptcy , culminating in the freehold being sold to property developers . Following a long legal battle , it was not until the mid @-@ 1990s that Chelsea 's future at the stadium was secured and renovation work resumed . The north , west and southern parts of the ground were converted into all @-@ seater stands and moved closer to the pitch , a process completed by 2001 . 
