Xabi Alonso lamented after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford, "You need to feel it. We're not feeling it," highlighting a familiar sense of frustration that has settled over the club.
This loss marked Chelsea’s eleventh defeat of the calendar year—a tally that already exceeds what they managed in the entire 2025 season, with three months still to play. For the fifth consecutive Premier League match under Alonso, the Blues have let in at least two goals, and their set‑piece vulnerabilities have been on full display. Alonso pointed out a loss of consistency and a missing competitive edge in the second half, a shortfall that will worry supporters the most.
Brentford seized the initiative after the break with ease, underscoring how quickly Chelsea’s rhythm can dissolve. The pattern of being out‑battled is another recurring theme; last season they were outrun in the majority of their league fixtures, and that trend has continued. When Chelsea faced Brentford, the first thing that came to mind was the danger posed by set pieces.
Long throws, clever corners and the like have become a recurring nightmare. Much like the previous game against Hull, Chelsea surrendered control by conceding yet another set‑piece goal. This was the fourth goal they have allowed from a dead‑ball situation in five league matches, taking their total since the start of last season to 23 – a figure that puts them joint‑worst among all Premier League clubs.
In the decisive moment, the ball was lofted directly onto the back post where Emiliano Martínez was stationed, and neither the keeper nor the outfield players could react in time. Brentford, however, anticipated the delivery and were ready for it a mile away. Vitaly Janelt explained to Sky Sports that the team had identified the far post as a target at halftime, and the first corner of the second half was aimed precisely there. Chelsea’s set‑piece problems persist despite the appointment of Austin MacPhee, now regarded as the league’s most proficient dead‑ball coach.
Bernardo Cueva, the former set‑piece specialist who now occupies a different role at the club, was even poached by Brentford during the match. Levi Colwill admitted to Sky that the side had been “bullied” at times and needed to improve, while also expressing confidence in the new set‑piece coach and acknowledging the adjustment period required. The defensive issues extend far beyond dead‑ball situations. Chelsea’s ability to prevent opponents from penetrating their defensive third ranks among the poorest in the division.
The team has gone 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 result of poor defending but reflects the quality of chances they allow – the numbers indicate they should be expected to concede roughly the same amount of shots on target. Compounding the problem is an evident struggle to protect the penalty area.
Chelsea rank in the top three for the number of shots they allow inside their own box, averaging around ten per game. Their goalkeepers are repeatedly forced into a battering‑ram role, facing a relentless barrage of attempts. These defensive frailties help explain why Chelsea have been unable to preserve a lead in their last three league outings.
They tend to start matches with high intensity – this was the first Premier League game in which they failed to take the lead within the opening ten minutes, although they came close when Pedro Neto saw a good chance saved. Yet once they fall behind, the team’s composure unravels, and ingrained bad habits surface.
Alonso summed it up: "It’s about everything – mentality, the football and the tactical aspects we need to keep improving. 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 relief, but the lack of solidity when the Ecuadorian midfielder is absent remains a concern.
Two of the summer signings, Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco, started the Brentford match, yet the Bees appeared stronger in midfield. Brentford manager Keith Andrews arguably fielded a deeper squad in that area, winning 3‑0 with record signing Mamadou Sangaré watching from the bench for over an hour.
At present, João Pedro stands out as Chelsea’s most influential attacker in terms of goal contributions. The "JP Morgan" front line was dismantled for the first time this season, and Chelsea failed to find the net – a first for them this campaign.
It is important to remember that Alonso is still in the process of embedding his philosophy at Stamford Bridge. The starting eleven featured seven new summer arrivals, and Alonso is only the fourth manager to take charge of the club in nine months. Former captain Gary Cahill reminded Sky Sports that transformation does not happen overnight. He suggested that Alonso will be judged over the next five to seven weeks, a period that should allow the manager to work on the training ground and begin to see his ideas bear fruit, especially on the attacking front.
Alonso himself broadened the scope of required improvements beyond set‑pieces, citing defensive duels, build‑up play and overall game control as key areas. In reality, those four aspects – set‑pieces, duels, build‑up and control – encompass virtually every facet of a team's defensive performance. Levi Colwill echoed the sentiment, noting that there is “a lot to work on over the international break,” a sentiment that will likely be shared by the entire squad as they strive to turn the tide on a season that has, so far, been defined by defensive instability.