Chelsea pitch like a trip to the seaside

THE man responsible for Chelsea’s “beach” of a pitch has admitted the Stamford Bridge playing surface was the worst he had ever seen at the weekend.

The Blues beat Charlton 4-1 on Saturday despite tons of sand and mud underfoot. Manager Claudio Ranieri likened a visit to his home ground with a trip to the seaside and even head groundsman John Anstis was shocked by the condition of the pitch.

Chelsea Village operations director Simon Arthur, who confirmed the pitch was ripped up, said: "John said it was the worst he'd seen at Stamford Bridge but it did hold together for the match.

"We took up the old pitch yesterday and are laying the new one this week, which will cost in the region of £100,000.

"We're very happy that the quality of grass being put down will last the season."

Chelsea will play just eight league games on the pitch, plus any home FA Cup ties, before replacing the surface, drainage and undersoil heating at the end of the season to prevent more problems next winter.

"The soil structure will be greatly enhanced by having the drainage and heating replaced," Arthur added.