Xabi Alonso could barely conceal his frustration after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford, lamenting, "We need to feel it. We’re not feeling it." The Blues have now suffered their eleventh loss of the calendar year – a tally that already eclipses what they will have accumulated by the end of next season, with three months still to play. For the fifth consecutive Premier League match under Alonso, Chelsea have allowed at least two goals, and their vulnerability on set‑pieces has become a recurring theme. Alonso pointed out a loss of consistency and a missing competitive edge in the second half, a shortfall that will surely alarm supporters.
Brentford capitalised on this dip in intensity, taking control after the break with ease. The pattern of being out‑battled is not new; last season, Chelsea were out‑run in the majority of their league fixtures, and that trend has resurfaced.
Set‑piece deficiencies were the first thing that came to mind when the two sides met. From long throws to cleverly designed corners, Brentford’s rehearsed routines proved decisive.
Just as they had against Hull in the previous game, Chelsea surrendered another goal from a dead‑ball situation. This marks the fourth set‑piece goal they have conceded in five league games, bringing their total since the start of last season to 23 – a figure that puts them joint‑worst among all Premier League clubs.
The decisive moment came when a cross was lofted directly onto the back post, landing on Emiliano Martínez’s shoulders. Neither the keeper nor the outfield players could react in time, and Brentford’s players anticipated the delivery a mile away. Vitaly Janelt later explained to Sky Sports, "We targeted the back post at half‑time.
There was a big gap at the far post, and we hit that with our first corner of the second half." Despite having Austin MacPhee, widely regarded as the league’s premier dead‑ball specialist, Chelsea continue to struggle. Their former set‑piece coach, Bernardo Cueva, now occupies a different role at the club and was even poached by Brentford during the match. Levi Colwill echoed the sentiment of frustration, telling Sky Sports, "We have not been good enough; at times we have been bullied and we need to improve at that." He added, "We trust our set‑piece coach; we are still adjusting to new things, but we do need to improve as a team." The set‑piece issue, however, is only one facet of a broader defensive crisis.
Chelsea have allowed opponents to penetrate their defensive third with alarming frequency, and they have now endured 22 straight Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet. Statistically, Chelsea concede an average of 2.2 non‑penalty goals per match.
Expected‑goals (xG) models suggest that this is not merely a perception problem – the team is, in fact, allowing a volume of quality shots that aligns with those figures. Their inability to protect the penalty area is equally stark; they rank among the top three clubs for shots conceded inside their own box, with roughly ten attempts per game forcing their goalkeeper into a constant barrage. These defensive frailties explain why Chelsea have been unable to preserve leads in their last three league outings. They tend to start brightly – this was the first Premier League match in which they failed to take the lead within the opening ten minutes – but once they fall behind, they quickly lose shape.
Pedro Neto’s early chance, which was saved, hinted at a possible early advantage that never materialised. Alonso summed up the situation: "It’s about everything – mentality, football, 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 his absence has highlighted the team’s lack of solidity in midfield and defence. Two of the summer signings, Jordan Henderson and Valentín Barco, started the Brentford game, yet it was the Bees who looked more cohesive in the middle of the park. Keith Andrews’ side arguably boasts deeper squad depth in that area, as evidenced by their 3‑0 victory despite record signing Mamadou Sangaré spending over an hour on the bench. At present, João Pedro appears to be 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.
It is worth remembering that Alonso inherited a squad that featured seven new arrivals in the starting XI, and he is only the fourth manager to take charge of the club in nine months. Implementing a new philosophy takes time, and the transition is evident.
Former captain Gary Cahill offered perspective, telling Sky Sports, "It doesn’t happen overnight. I think he will be judged in the next five, six, seven weeks because you’ll 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 agrees that the issues extend beyond set‑pieces.
"In defensive duels, build‑up, and controlling games we need to improve," he said, acknowledging that these four areas – set‑pieces, defensive duels, build‑up play, and game control – encapsulate the majority of Chelsea’s problems. Colwill added that the upcoming international break provides a valuable window for work: "We’ve got a lot to work on over the international break," he said, a sentiment that will be echoed throughout the dressing room. Looking ahead, Chelsea must address several key points if they hope to halt their slide. First, a renewed focus on set‑piece organisation is essential; this includes not only defending but also creating more effective attacking routines.
Second, the team must develop a more disciplined defensive shape, especially after conceding an early goal, to avoid the collapse that has become all too familiar. Third, midfield stability – with the return of Caicedo and the integration of new signings – will be crucial to shield the back line and limit the number of shots entering the penalty area. Finally, the managerial staff need to instil a resilient mentality that can withstand pressure and maintain composure throughout the full 90 minutes. If Chelsea can tighten these loose ends, they may yet salvage their season and restore the competitive edge that fans expect from a club of their stature.
Until then, the criticism will continue, and the pressure on Alonso and his squad will only intensify as the Premier League race progresses.