Chelsea's defensive issues persisted in a 3-0 defeat against Brentford on Friday, a match that also highlighted a new problem in scoring goals due to striker Joao Pedro's absence. The Brazilian forward is sidelined with a knee injury, disrupting new manager Xabi Alonso's previously free-scoring attack.
The Blues collapsed after Jaidon Anthony gave Brentford a 61st-minute lead. Chelsea have now conceded 12 goals this season, more than any other Premier League team, although they have played one more game. Alonso is only the sixth manager to concede two or more goals in each of his first five Premier League matches.
Stand-in captain Levi Colwill acknowledged the team's struggles with set-pieces, telling Sky Sports: "Not good enough. At times we have been bullied in the box and we definitely need to improve." Chelsea have conceded 23 goals from set-pieces since the start of last season, the most in the Premier League, with Anthony's header from a corner being the fifth this season.
Alonso has been experimenting with different systems and personnel, giving 11 debuts, including Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 16, and new signing Jordan Henderson, 36, on Friday. The team now faces a three-week international break to reflect on their latest defeat.