Chelsea celebrate
Chelsea celebrate after Morgan Rogers' goal against Hull City(Image: Henry Nicholls/AFP)
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Every team is desperate to win every game but the fixture before the international break always feels extra important.
That is how it feels for Chelsea on Friday evening as they make the short trip to west London rivals Brentford. After a defeat at Arsenal and a draw with Hull City, the Blues are winless in their last two Premier League outings heading into the clash with Keith Andrews' Bees.
Some of the feel-good factor created by Xabi Alonso's arrival - and first few games as Chelsea manager - has disappeared for the time being but the Spaniard will be determined to get that back before the first international break of the season.
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Alonso is looking for a reaction from his Blues players after an extremely disappointing performance in the draw with Hull on Saturday afternoon. Chelsea conceded two really avoidable goals at Stamford Bridge and after the match, Alonso accused some of his players of being "soft".
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Brentford is always a difficult place to go, especially for Chelsea who have a notoriously poor record against the Bees. The Blues players will need to prove to Alonso they have hardened when it comes to their defensive duties versus a very dangerous Brentford team.
Alonso is expected to make numerous changes on Friday evening. So, with that being said, football.london takes a look at three the Spaniard might be considering.
A trio of changes for Alonso
Maxence Lacroix is expected to return to the Chelsea defence, especially if it is a back three at the Gtech Community Stadium. Wesley Fofana was probably the Blues' best defender in the weekend's draw with Hull, though that isn't saying too much, so the Frenchman could keep his place in the side. Jorrel Hato, after a poor performance last time out, could be the one to make way for Fofana.
There could be a place in the side for Marco Palestra. The Italy international is yet to feature for Chelsea in a competitive match since signing from Atalanta in the summer transfer window due to a quad injury he suffered in the days before the opening fixture of the campaign.
Palestra has trained with his Blues teammates this week and could be set for a role in the squad on Friday night. Whether the Italian is fit enough to start remains to be seen, but there could be some temptation from Alonso to use the 21-year-old as a right wing-back. Malo Gusto could drop to the bench after an underwhelming display versus Hull.
Alonso might be tempted to throw in one of Jordan Henderson or Moises Caicedo if they are fit enough to take part. Henderson has been spotted in training pictures this week as he nears his return from a serious arm injury, while Caicedo has not been pictured at the time of writing, though Alonso said last week there was some hope of the Ecuadorian midfielder being available on Friday.
Jordan Henderson
COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Jordan Henderson of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 11, 2026 in Cobham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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The Chelsea manager, simply put, might want to see something, or someone, different alongside Reece James in the centre of midfield. Romeo Lavia has started the season well but the experience of Henderson or the sheer brilliance of Caicedo could work well away at Brentford.
Potential Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Caicedo/Henderson, James, Neto; Palmer, Rogers, Joao Pedro