Xabi Alonso lamented, "You need to feel it. We're not feeling it," after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford, a loss that underscored a familiar sense of frustration at the club.
The result marked Chelsea’s 11th defeat of the calendar year – already more than they suffered in the entirety of 2025 – with three months still left in the season. 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 issue. Alonso admitted that the team had lost the consistency and competitive edge required in the second half, a shortcoming that will undoubtedly alarm supporters.
Brentford capitalised on this lapse, taking control after the break with ease. The pattern is unmistakable: Chelsea are being out‑battled across the pitch, echoing the previous season when they were routinely outrun by opponents. Set‑piece problems were the first thing that came to mind when the two sides met. Long throws, clever corners and other dead‑ball routines have become a recurring nightmare for the Blues.
Just as they had against Hull in the prior fixture, Chelsea surrendered another goal from a set‑piece, making it the fourth such concession in five league games. Since the start of last season, they have allowed 23 set‑piece goals – a figure that places them joint‑worst among all Premier League clubs. The latest goal unfolded when the ball was lofted directly onto the back post, landing on Emiliano Martínez’s head. Neither the goalkeeper nor the surrounding defenders could react in time, and Brentford’s players anticipated the delivery with uncanny precision.
Vitaly Janelt later explained to Sky Sports that they had specifically targeted the back post at half‑time, noting a noticeable gap at the far post that they exploited early in the second half. Chelsea’s set‑piece woes persist despite the appointment of Austin MacPhee, who is widely regarded as the league’s top dead‑ball coach. Bernardo Cueva, the former set‑piece specialist now in a different role at the club, was even poached by Brentford during the match.
Levi Colwill echoed the sentiment that the team has been “bullied” and must improve, while also expressing confidence in the coaching staff’s ability to fine‑tune their routines. Defensive frailties extend beyond dead‑ball situations.
The Blues consistently allow opponents to breach their third of the field, ranking among the poorest in the division. They have gone 22 straight Premier League fixtures without keeping a clean sheet, conceding an average of 2.2 non‑penalty goals per game.
Expected‑goals (xG) data suggests that this figure aligns with the quality of chances they typically allow, indicating a systemic issue rather than occasional bad luck. Another alarming statistic is Chelsea’s position in the top three for shots conceded inside their own penalty area – roughly ten per match. Their goalkeepers are forced into a constant barrage, acting more as a last line of defence than a shield. Such exposure explains why the team has struggled to preserve leads in their last three league outings.
The opening minutes of the Brentford game were uncharacteristically sluggish for Chelsea; it was the first time this season they failed to take the lead within the first ten minutes, although Pedro Neto came close with a chance that was saved. When the Blues eventually fell behind, they quickly lost shape, a habit that resurfaces whenever they concede early. 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 in midfield and defence. New signings Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco started the match, yet Brentford’s midfield appeared more cohesive. Keith Andrews’ side arguably boasts deeper quality in that area, as demonstrated by their 3‑0 victory despite benching record signing Mamadou Sangaré for most of the game.
At present, João Pedro stands out as Chelsea’s most influential attacking player, but even his contributions could not prevent a goalless night – the first time this season the team failed to score. The squad features seven summer arrivals in the starting XI, reflecting the extensive overhaul under Alonso, who is only the fourth manager to take charge in nine months. Former captain Gary Cahill reminded fans that transformation takes time: "It doesn’t happen overnight.
He will be judged in the next five, six, seven weeks 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 agreed that the issues are not limited to set‑pieces; defensive duels, build‑up play and overall game control also require urgent attention. Those four facets – set‑pieces, duels, build‑up and control – encapsulate the areas where Chelsea must improve. Colwill added that the upcoming international break offers a valuable window for work, emphasizing that the team must use the pause to address the myriad shortcomings exposed by Brentford.
The path forward will demand tactical adjustments, mental resilience and a renewed commitment to defensive discipline if Chelsea hope to halt their slide and restore confidence among their supporters.