Chelsea beaten at Brentford as Alonso demands improvement
Joe Cole said Alonso's use of 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli in Chelsea's 3-0 loss at Brentford sent the board a 'clear as day' message over thin midfield options.
Chelsea were beaten 3-0 at Brentford as three second-half goals extended the hosts' unbeaten Premier League start at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Chelsea's player ratings after the 3-0 defeat at Brentford, where a solid first half gave way to set-piece trouble, exposure in transition and a league-worst 12 goals conceded.
After Chelsea's 3-0 loss at Brentford, Xabi Alonso pointed to consistency, mentality, set pieces, duels, build-up, control, transitions and game understanding.
Xabi Alonso said Chelsea lacked consistency and 'competitive mentality' in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford, calling for improvement in set pieces, duels, build-up and control.
Chelsea will visit Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday, 28 October at 8pm GMT, after beating Leeds 6-3 in round three.
Kendry Paez, once billed as Chelsea's next star, has been told by Xabi Alonso he is 'not in my plans' and may need a January loan after stalled spells and Under-21 minutes.
Monaco's Thiago Scuro said selling Folarin Balogun could help them keep Lamine Camara, a midfielder Chelsea had targeted before the move collapsed.
After Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at Brentford, Xabi Alonso called it 'a process' as questions grew over Estevao's lack of minutes.
Chelsea face fresh interest in Josh Acheampong, with AS reporting 'alarm' at Stamford Bridge, though Xabi Alonso still sees the defender as part of his plans.
Footage showed Jordan Henderson remonstrating with Emiliano Martínez after Brentford's opener from a corner, before Chelsea collapsed to a 3-0 defeat.
Levi Colwill admitted Chelsea 'have been bullied in the box' after Brentford's 3-0 win, as another set-piece lapse exposed a long-running weakness.
Chelsea missed injured Joao Pedro in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford, where defensive flaws resurfaced. They have conceded 12 goals in five league games under Xabi Alonso.
