Xabi Alonso’s post‑match comments after the 3-0 defeat to Brentford summed up the mood at Chelsea: “You need to feel it. We’re not feeling it.” The Blues are trapped in a familiar sense of frustration. This loss marks their 11th defeat of the calendar year – already more than they recorded in the entire 2025 season – with three months still to play. For the fifth consecutive Premier League fixture under Alonso, Chelsea have let in at least two goals, and their set‑piece problems have resurfaced with alarming regularity.
Alonso lamented the drop in consistency and the loss of the competitive edge that should have characterised the second half. Fans, understandably, are most concerned about the team’s inability to respond when the opposition gains momentum. Brentford made the second half look effortless, capitalising on Chelsea’s lack of discipline and organization.
A worrying pattern is emerging: Chelsea are being out‑battled across the pitch. Last season they were frequently outrun; this campaign they are also being out‑muscled in duels, a sign that the defensive unit is not coping with the physical demands of the league. The first thing that comes to mind when facing Brentford is the set‑piece threat – long throws, clever corners and rehearsed routines.
As in the previous game against Hull, Chelsea surrendered another goal from a dead‑ball situation, highlighting a systemic flaw. In fact, this was the fourth goal conceded from a set piece in just five league games, taking their total since the start of last season to 23 – the joint‑worst figure among all Premier League clubs. The decisive header was delivered straight to the back post, where Emiliano Martínez was unable to react, and his teammates failed to clear the danger.
Brentford’s players anticipated the delivery and positioned themselves perfectly, underscoring the gap in Chelsea’s preparation. Vitaly Janelt explained to Sky Sports that the team had deliberately targeted the far post at half‑time, noting a “big gap” there. The first corner of the second half was aimed at that area, yet the execution was poor and the opposition capitalised. Even with Austin MacPhee, now regarded as the league’s top dead‑ball specialist, on board, Chelsea’s set‑piece defending remains porous.
Bernardo Cueva, the former set‑piece coach who now holds a different role at the club, was even poached by Brentford, indicating that the expertise they once had is no longer exclusive to Stamford Bridge. Levi Colwill admitted to Sky Sports that the team had been “bullied” at times and needed to improve, while also expressing confidence in the set‑piece coach and acknowledging that the squad is still adapting to new methods.
However, set‑piece frailties are only one facet of a broader defensive crisis. Chelsea have now gone 22 straight Premier League matches without keeping a clean sheet, a statistic that reflects deeper issues in protecting the defensive third. Statistically, Chelsea concede an average of 2.2 non‑penalty goals per game. Expected‑goals (xG) models suggest that this figure is justified – the quality and quantity of shots they allow are in line with the goals they concede.
Yet the problem is not merely the number of chances but the location: Chelsea rank among the top three teams for shots allowed inside their own penalty area, with roughly ten such attempts per match. Their goalkeepers are constantly under siege, forced to act as last‑ditch defenders rather than as organizers of the back line. These defensive shortcomings explain why Chelsea have struggled to maintain leads in their last three league outings. In the Brentford match, they failed to take the initiative in the opening ten minutes for the first time this season, only coming close when Pedro Neto saw his effort saved.
When they do fall behind, they often lose shape quickly, allowing the opposition to dictate the tempo. Alonso summed up the situation: “It’s about everything – mentality, football, and tactical aspects we need to improve.
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 shield in midfield, but his absence has highlighted the team’s lack of solidity.
The midfield battle was another area where Brentford outperformed the Blues. Summer signings Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco started the game, yet the Bees appeared more cohesive and energetic.
Keith Andrews’ side arguably possesses greater depth in the middle of the park, a fact underscored by the fact that record signing Mamadou Sangaré spent over an hour on the bench while Brentford secured a comfortable 3‑0 win. Offensively, João Pedro emerged as Chelsea’s most influential scorer, but the “JP Morgan” front line was dismantled for the first time this season, and the team failed to find the net altogether. It is worth remembering that Alonso inherited a squad with seven new signings in the starting eleven and is only the fourth manager to take charge of the club in nine months.
Implementing a new philosophy takes time, especially when the roster is in flux. Former captain Gary Cahill told Sky Sports that patience is essential: “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 himself broadened the scope of needed improvement beyond set pieces, highlighting defensive duels, build‑up play, and game control as critical areas. In reality, those four components – set pieces, duels, build‑up, and control – encompass almost every facet of modern football.
Levi Colwill echoed the sentiment, noting that there is “a lot to work on over the international break.” The upcoming pause will be crucial for the coaching staff to address the defensive frailties, re‑establish tactical discipline, and restore the confidence that has been eroded by a string of disappointing results.