Xabi Alonso lamented, "You need to feel it. We're not feeling it," after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, a loss that underscored a familiar sense of frustration for the Blues. The setback marked Chelsea’s eleventh defeat of the calendar year – already more than they suffered in the entire 2025 season – with three months still left in 2026.
It also continued a troubling pattern: for the fifth consecutive Premier League match under Alonso, the team has let in at least two goals, and their vulnerability on set‑pieces remains glaring. Alonso himself admitted that the side had lost its consistency and the competitive edge required in the second half, a shortcoming that will undoubtedly alarm supporters.
Brentford capitalised on this dip in intensity, taking control of the game after the break with relative ease. The loss also highlighted another ongoing issue: Chelsea’s inability to win physical battles. Throughout last season, the club was frequently outrun and out‑muscled in the majority of league fixtures, a trend that has persisted.
When Chelsea faced Brentford, the first thing that came to mind was the threat posed by set‑pieces – long throws, well‑drilled corners, and the like. As in the previous match against Hull City, the Blues surrendered another goal from a dead‑ball situation.
This was the fourth set‑piece goal they have conceded in five league games, pushing their total since the start of the previous season to 23, which ties them for the worst record among Premier League clubs. The decisive moment came when a cross was delivered directly onto the back post, landing on Emiliano Martínez’s head. Neither the goalkeeper nor the outfield players reacted in time, and Brentford, having anticipated the delivery, capitalised without difficulty. Vitaly Janelt later explained to Sky Sports that the team had deliberately targeted the back post at half‑time, noting a noticeable gap at the far post that they sought to exploit with their first corner of the second half.
Despite employing Austin MacPhee – widely regarded as the league’s premier dead‑ball specialist – Chelsea’s set‑piece woes have continued. Bernardo Cueva, the club’s former set‑piece coach who now serves in a different capacity, was even poached by Brentford during the match, underscoring the competitive nature of this tactical arena. Young defender Levi Colwill admitted to Sky that the side has been “bullied” at times and must improve, while also expressing confidence in the set‑piece coach’s methods, acknowledging that the team is still adapting to new routines.
The defensive deficiencies extend far beyond dead‑ball situations. Chelsea’s ability to prevent opponents from infiltrating the final third ranks among the poorest in the division, and the team has now endured 22 straight Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet. Statistically, Chelsea concede an average of 2.2 non‑penalty goals per match, a figure that aligns closely with their expected goals‑against (xGA) metric, suggesting that the defensive performance is not merely a matter of bad luck but reflects underlying structural problems. One of the most alarming statistics is Chelsea’s propensity to allow a high volume of shots inside their own penalty area – they rank in the top three for shots faced per game, with roughly ten attempts on target each match.
This relentless pressure forces the goalkeeper into a constant state of siege, effectively turning him into a “battering ram” for the opposition’s attacks. These defensive frailties explain why Chelsea have struggled to preserve leads in their last three league outings. The team often bursts out of the gates with vigor – this was the first Premier League match in which they failed to take the lead within the opening ten minutes – yet once they fall behind, they tend to lose shape and become disorganised. Alonso summed it up succinctly: "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 a much‑needed boost to the midfield’s defensive solidity, but his absence has highlighted a lack of depth and resilience. Two of the summer signings, Jordan Henderson and Valentín Barco, started the Brentford game, yet the Bees appeared stronger in the middle of the park.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews arguably boasts superior squad depth in that area, and his side secured a 3‑0 victory even with record signing Mamadou Sangaré watching from the bench for most of the match. Offensively, João Pedro has emerged as Chelsea’s most influential scorer, but even his contributions could not prevent a goalless night – the first time this season the Blues failed to find the net. The match also marked the first occasion this campaign that the "JP Morgan" front line was broken up, underscoring the need for a more cohesive attacking strategy. It is important to recognise that Alonso is still in the early stages of implementing his philosophy at Stamford Bridge.
The starting XI featured seven new signings, and the Spaniard is only the fourth manager to take charge of the club in nine months. Former captain Gary Cahill told Sky Sports that transformation does not happen overnight, but he believes Alonso will be judged over the next five to seven weeks as the team gains more training time and his ideas begin to take root. Alonso himself broadened the scope of required improvements beyond set‑pieces, citing defensive duels, build‑up play, and overall game control as critical areas.
In reality, those four facets – set‑piece defence, individual duels, transitional play, and tactical discipline – encapsulate almost every aspect of a modern football side’s defensive framework. Looking ahead, Colwill reminded his teammates that there is ample work to be done during the international break.
The pause offers a chance for the coaching staff to address the myriad issues that have plagued the squad – from tightening the back line and refining set‑piece routines to enhancing midfield cohesion and restoring a winning mentality. Only by confronting these challenges head‑on can Chelsea hope to reverse the current trend and re‑establish themselves as a competitive force in the Premier League.