Chelsea’s recent 3-0 defeat at Brentford has left manager Xabi Alonso visibly frustrated. "You need to feel it. We're not feeling it," he said after the loss, a comment that captures the growing sense of unease surrounding the Blues' defensive performances. This was Chelsea’s eleventh defeat of the calendar year – already more than they suffered in all of 2025 – and the team has now allowed at least two goals in five consecutive Premier League matches under Alonso.
The problems are not limited to open play; set‑piece defending has become a recurring nightmare. Alonso lamented the loss of consistency and the missing competitive edge in the second half, noting that Brentford seized control with ease after the break. Fans are especially concerned about the team’s inability to retain shape when they fall behind. The pattern of being out‑battled is familiar; last season Chelsea were outrun in the majority of their league games, and that trend appears to be continuing.
One of the first things that comes to mind when facing Brentford is their proficiency with set pieces – long throws, clever corners, and well‑timed runs. In this match, Chelsea once again surrendered a goal from a dead‑ball situation, mirroring a similar lapse against Hull in the previous fixture. The goal marked the fourth set‑piece concession in five league games, raising Chelsea’s total to 23 since the start of last season – a figure that puts them joint‑worst among all Premier League clubs.
The decisive moment came when a cross was delivered directly onto the back post, landing on Emiliano Martínez’s shoulder. Neither the goalkeeper nor the surrounding defenders reacted in time, and Brentford’s players were already anticipating the delivery. Vitaly Janelt later explained to Sky Sports that the Bees had deliberately targeted the far post at half‑time, exploiting a noticeable gap in Chelsea’s defensive shape.
Despite having Austin MacPhee, widely regarded as the league’s top dead‑ball coach, overseeing set‑piece organization, Chelsea continue to struggle. Bernardo Cueva, the club’s former set‑piece specialist who now holds a different role, was even poached by Brentford during the match. Defender Levi Colwill admitted that the team had been “bullied” on set pieces and emphasized the need for improvement, while also expressing confidence in the coaching staff’s ability to adapt.
Set‑piece frailties are only one facet of a broader defensive crisis. Chelsea have now endured 22 straight Premier League games without a clean sheet, and they concede an average of 2.2 non‑penalty goals per match. Expected goals (xG) data suggests that this figure is not merely a product of bad luck; the Blues are statistically likely to allow roughly the same number of quality shots on target each game.
Compounding the issue is Chelsea’s inability to protect their own penalty area. They rank among the top three clubs this season for the number of shots they allow inside the box – around ten per game – meaning their goalkeeper is constantly under siege. This relentless pressure makes it difficult for the team to maintain composure after conceding the opening goal, often leading to a loss of shape and further goals. The lack of defensive solidity has also affected Chelsea’s ability to hold onto leads.
In their last three league outings, the team has either surrendered a lead or failed to establish one early on. Against Brentford, they were the first side in the season not to take the lead within the opening ten minutes, coming close only when Pedro Neto saw his chance saved. When they do fall behind, the team’s “bad habits” quickly resurface, a point Alonso highlighted when he said, "We concede the first goal, you're still in the game but then we lose the shape. We were out of control." The return of Moisés Caicedo could provide some much‑needed stability in midfield, but his absence has already exposed a lack of cohesion.
New signings Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco started the Brentford game, yet the Bees appeared stronger in the middle of the park. Brentford manager Keith Andrews, who boasts deeper squad depth in that area, also benefited from the benching of their record signing Mamadou Sangaré for more than an hour.
Offensively, João Pedro remains Chelsea’s most influential scorer, but the team’s attacking line – nicknamed the "JP Morgan" frontline – was dismantled for the first time this season, resulting in a goalless performance. The lack of goals only amplified the defensive anxieties.
Alonso’s tenure at Stamford Bridge is still in its infancy. With seven summer arrivals in the starting eleven and being only the fourth manager in nine months, he faces a steep learning curve.
Former captain Gary Cahill reminded the media that building a new system takes time, noting that Alonso will likely be judged on his progress over the next five to seven weeks as training sessions translate into on‑field improvements. Beyond set pieces, Alonso identified three additional areas needing attention: defensive duels, build‑up play, and overall game control.
These aspects are interlinked; a team that cannot win individual battles will struggle to transition smoothly from defense to attack, and will find it difficult to dictate the tempo of matches. Looking ahead, the international break offers a valuable window for reflection and adjustment. Colwill echoed Alonso’s sentiment, stating that there is “a lot to work on over the international break.” The hope is that the coaching staff can address the set‑piece vulnerabilities, tighten the defensive third, and restore the competitive mentality that has been missing.
Only time will tell if Chelsea can reverse the current trend and re‑establish themselves as a defensively resilient side in the Premier League.