Chelsea's ongoing struggles at the back were laid bare once again as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday, a result that leaves new head coach Xabi Alonso facing mounting questions heading into the international break.
The visitors were already without star striker Joao Pedro, sidelined by a knee injury, and his absence proved costly. The Brazilian had entered the weekend with the most goal involvements in the Premier League this season, having scored three goals and set up three more in just four appearances. His link-up play with Cole Palmer and record signing Morgan Rogers has been central to Chelsea's early-season attacking spark, but without him, the team looked toothless going forward.
Danny Welbeck, signed from Brighton for the second consecutive summer to partner Joao Pedro, was handed the responsibility of leading the line but struggled to make his mark. The 35-year-old touched the ball just 17 times before being replaced in the 71st minute, unable to replicate the kind of chance creation that has made Joao Pedro so effective. Rogers, too, endured a subdued outing, arguably his quietest since his move from Aston Villa, and was eventually shifted further forward after fellow forward Emmanuel Emegha was ruled out through injury, still awaiting his Chelsea debut.
The match remained tight until Jaidon Anthony broke the deadlock for Brentford in the 61st minute with a header from a corner — a goal that once again exposed Chelsea's long-standing struggles defending set-pieces. The Blues have now conceded 23 goals from dead-ball situations since the start of last season, the worst record in the Premier League, with five of those coming already this campaign.
After Anthony's opener, Chelsea's performance unraveled, with two further goals sealing a chastening 3-0 loss. The result means Chelsea have now conceded 12 goals this season — more than any other Premier League side, albeit having played one more match than most of their rivals. Alonso has also become only the sixth manager in Premier League history to concede at least two goals in each of his first five matches in charge of a club.
The Spaniard has used the early weeks of his tenure to experiment with personnel and tactics, handing out 11 debuts so far. Two more came against Brentford, with 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli becoming the youngest player to appear for Chelsea in the Premier League, and 36-year-old Jordan Henderson making his first appearance for the club against his former side. Notably, Chelsea fielded their oldest starting lineup since May 2023, with Henderson lining up alongside Welbeck and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Stand-in captain Levi Colwill did not shy away from criticizing the team's defensive frailties.