With 15 football pitches and even an indoor artificial pitch for the winter, the complex will also feature the latest in training and rehabilitation equipment. So if Juan Veron returns next season he may get playing a bit quicker!
3 of the pitches will also have under-soil heating of the highest standard and there will even be a moat around the building to allow light into the basement!
One huge plus, as far as boss Jose Mourinho is concerned, is that every player at the club from the youth academy to the first team squad will all share the site.
Mourinho said: “This is fantastic news for Chelsea. One of the reasons I joined the club was the commitment that Mr Abramovich and the board showed about investing in youth.
“With the academy, youth, reserves and first team all on the same site, this will act as an inspiration for the young players at Chelsea.
“A modern and top training ground is also important for first team players. Our current home at Harlington is an excellent facility but the club needs its own home for training and top players want to know about the facilities and their environment for work before they join a club. If we can tell them we have the best training ground this is a big advantage. I am looking forward to moving there.”
Peter Kenyon said: “The Cobham development is central to the future of the club and we are delighted we now have the final go-ahead.
“Developing home grown players is a vitally important goal for Chelsea. One of the many reasons we wanted Jose is that he was also firmly committed to developing our academy, youth and reserve structure.
“Cobham gives us the perfect platform for that. We are also totally committed to developing a community programme in the local area and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council and its residents who have been extremely supportive and positive.
“The club would also like to put on record its thanks to our company secretary, Alan Shaw, whose tireless work on this project with the local council, has ensured its smooth progress to a positive conclusion.”
The total size of the facility is 3338m sq. The main feature and what caused slight problems with the planning permission is the underground 'basement.' To make the most of the space, an underground basement was designed which players and staff can use for many things like team meetings and other matters. The complex will also boast a grass roof on the main building for environmental purposes.
Read on in Part two for more details of the Cobham Complex!