Xabi Alonso lamented, "You need to feel it. We're not feeling it," after his side were trounced 3-0 by Brentford.
The defeat added another chapter to a familiar narrative for Chelsea – a season already riddled with setbacks. This loss marks their 11th defeat of the calendar year, a tally that already exceeds what they managed in the entirety of 2025, and there are still three months left to play. For the fifth consecutive Premier League match under Alonso, the Blues have allowed at least two goals, and their vulnerability on set‑pieces remains a glaring concern.
Alonso admitted that the team’s consistency and competitive edge fell away in the second half, a point that will undoubtedly worry supporters. Brentford seized the initiative after the break with alarming ease, exposing the lack of discipline and organization that has become all too common for Chelsea. The pattern of being out‑battled has persisted; last season the team were outrun in the majority of their league fixtures, and this season the trend continues.
Set‑piece defending has turned into a recurring nightmare. The first thing that comes to mind when facing Brentford is their proficiency with long throws and well‑drilled corners.
Much like the previous game against Hull, Chelsea surrendered control of the encounter by conceding yet another set‑piece goal. In fact, this was the fourth goal they have allowed from a dead‑ball situation in just five Premier League matches, taking their total since the start of last season to 23 – the joint‑worst figure across the league. The latest goal unfolded when a cross was delivered straight onto the back post, landing directly in front of Emiliano Martínez. Neither the goalkeeper nor the outfield defenders reacted in time, and Brentford’s players anticipated the delivery with uncanny precision.
Vitaly Janelt later told Sky Sports that the Blues had specifically targeted the back post at half‑time, noting a noticeable gap at the far post that they tried to exploit with their first corner of the second half. Despite employing Austin MacPhee, who is widely regarded as the Premier League’s top dead‑ball coach, Chelsea’s set‑piece frailties have persisted. 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 acknowledged the problem, saying, "We have not been good enough, at times we have been bullied and we need to improve at that," while also expressing confidence in the coaching staff and the need for the team to adapt to new methods. The defensive issues extend far beyond dead‑ball scenarios. Chelsea’s ability to shield their defensive third is among the poorest in the division.
They have now endured 22 straight Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet, conceding 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 expected to allow roughly the same number of quality shots on target.
Compounding the problem is a clear inability to protect the penalty area. Chelsea rank in the top three this season for the number of shots they concede inside their own box, averaging about ten per game. This relentless pressure forces their goalkeepers into a role akin to a battering ram, constantly under siege. These defensive deficiencies explain why Chelsea have struggled to maintain leads in their last three league outings.
In the Brentford game, they failed to take the initiative within the opening ten minutes – a first for the club in the Premier League – although they came close when Pedro Neto saw a promising chance saved. Once they fell behind, the team’s habitual loss of shape became evident. Alonso summed it up: "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 stability, but his absence has highlighted the squad’s lack of solidity without the Ecuadorian midfielder.
Two of the summer signings, Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco, started the match, yet Brentford’s midfield appeared more cohesive and energetic. Brentford manager Keith Andrews arguably enjoys greater depth in that area, as his side secured a 3‑0 victory while record signing Mamadou Sangaré remained on the bench for over an hour. At present, João Pedro emerges as Chelsea’s most influential attacking player, but even his contributions could not prevent a goalless night – the first time this season that the Blues failed to find the net. The team fielded seven of the nine summer arrivals, reflecting Alonso’s ongoing project of reshaping the squad.
He is the fourth manager to take charge of Chelsea in nine months, and the transition will inevitably take time. Former captain Gary Cahill offered perspective, noting that "It doesn't happen overnight. I think with what you're saying he will be judged in the next five, six, seven weeks to get this right because you will have that time on the training ground and then we should start to see his methods coming through because we've seen him in an attacking sense." Alonso himself broadened the discussion beyond set‑pieces, emphasizing the need for improvement in defensive duels, build‑up play, and overall game control.
Those four elements – set‑piece defending, duels, build‑up, and control – encapsulate the core of Chelsea’s current crisis. Colwill added that the team has "a lot to work on over the international break," a sentiment that underscores the urgency of the situation. The upcoming pause offers a window for tactical adjustments, defensive drills, and perhaps a psychological reset.
If Chelsea can tighten their back line, become more disciplined on set‑pieces, and restore the competitive mentality that has been missing, they may yet reverse the downward trajectory. Until then, the fans will continue to watch a side that feels "bullied" and "out of control," hoping that the changes promised by the coaching staff will translate into tangible results on the pitch.