Xabi Alonso could hardly hide his frustration after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, lamenting, "You need to feel it. We're not feeling it." The loss marked the club’s eleventh defeat of the calendar year – already more than they suffered in the entire 2025 season – and it highlighted a pattern that has become all too familiar for the Blues.
For the fifth consecutive Premier League match under Alonso, Chelsea have allowed at least two goals, and the set‑piece vulnerability has resurfaced with alarming regularity. The manager admitted that the team’s consistency and competitive edge vanished in the second half, a shortcoming that will undoubtedly alarm supporters.
Brentford capitalised on this lapse, taking control after the break with ease. Another worrying trend is the frequency with which Chelsea are out‑battled across the pitch. Last season they were often outrun; this season they are being physically dominated even more often, a symptom of deeper defensive frailties.
The Brentford encounter began with a focus on set pieces – long throws, clever corners – and Chelsea once again found themselves on the back foot. Much like the previous game against Hull, a poorly defended set piece resulted in a goal, marking the fourth such concession in five league fixtures.
Since the start of last season, Chelsea have allowed 23 set‑piece goals, tying them for the worst record in the Premier League. The decisive moment came when a cross was delivered directly onto the back post, landing on Emiliano Martínez’s head. Neither the keeper nor the outfield players reacted in time, and Brentford’s players were already anticipating the delivery.
Vitaly Janelt later explained to Sky Sports that the team had deliberately targeted the far post at half‑time, exploiting a noticeable gap that they hoped to exploit in the second half. Even with Austin MacPhee, widely regarded as the league’s top dead‑ball specialist, overseeing set‑piece preparation, Chelsea continue to struggle. Bernardo Cueva, the former set‑piece coach who now occupies a different role within the club, was even poached by Brentford during the match, underscoring the chaos surrounding Chelsea’s dead‑ball arrangements. Defender Levi Colwill acknowledged the issue, stating, "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’s ability to turn things around.
Defensive problems extend beyond set pieces. Chelsea have now gone 22 straight Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet, and they concede an average of 2.2 non‑penalty goals per match. Expected‑goals (xG) data suggests this figure is justified, as the team is statistically likely to allow a similar number of high‑quality chances. Their inability to protect the penalty area is especially stark – they rank among the top three clubs for shots conceded inside the box, averaging roughly ten per game.
This relentless pressure forces the goalkeeper into a constant barrage, eroding confidence and composure. These defensive shortcomings explain why Chelsea have been unable to preserve leads in their last three league outings. They start games energetically, often creating early chances – this was the first Premier League match in which they failed to take the lead within the opening ten minutes, though Pedro Neto did come close with a shot that was saved.
However, once they fall behind, the team’s structure collapses. 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 a much‑needed boost to the midfield’s defensive solidity, but his absence has exposed a lack of resilience that the club must address. New signings Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco started the Brentford game, yet the Bees appeared more cohesive in the centre of the park. Brentford manager Keith Andrews seems to have greater depth in that area, and his side’s 3‑0 victory was achieved while record signing Mamadou Sangaré remained an unused substitute for the majority of the match. At present, João Pedro is Chelsea’s most influential attacker in terms of goal contributions, but the “JP Morgan” front line was dismantled for the first time this season, and the Blues failed to find the net altogether.
This lack of firepower compounds the defensive woes, leaving the team with few avenues to recover after conceding. Alonso’s task of instilling his philosophy at Stamford Bridge is still in its infancy. The current lineup featured seven of his summer acquisitions, and he is only the fourth manager to helm the club in nine months.
Former captain Gary Cahill reminded the media that transformation does not happen overnight, noting that Alonso will be judged over the next five to seven weeks as his ideas take root on the training ground. Beyond set pieces, Alonso identified three additional areas requiring urgent improvement: defensive duels, build‑up play, and overall game control. These aspects are interlinked; without a solid defensive foundation, effective build‑up becomes impossible, and loss of control invites further pressure. The club’s upcoming international break offers a valuable window for focused work on these deficiencies, a sentiment echoed by Colwill, who stressed the need for collective effort during the pause.
In summary, Chelsea’s recent performance against Brentford laid bare a series of systemic problems. Set‑piece defensiveness, an inability to shield the penalty area, poor aerial organisation, and a lack of tactical discipline have all contributed to a disappointing display. While the squad possesses talent and the coaching staff includes some of the league’s best specialists, translating that potential into results will require consistent effort, strategic adjustments, and perhaps a few more signings to add depth and experience. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Blues can arrest their decline and re‑establish themselves as a defensively sound side capable of competing at the highest level.