Chelsea toothless in attack and defensively woeful
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Emiliano Martinez and Jordan Henderson of Chelsea look dejected after the team's defeat in the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brentford and Chelsea FC at Gtech Community Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea went through a third straight Premier League game without a win, with a quiet night for the front three, no Joao Pedro out with injury, and yet another defensive calamity.
The Blues sit 7th in the league after a second-half collapse at the Gtech Stadium against Brentford. Despite having an experienced veteran in midfield, it was another game that didn't go the Blues' way.
Chelsea's front three are hopeless without Joao Pedro
No Joao Pedro in the Chelsea team due to injury meant a first start for Danny Welbeck - who failed to replicate the impact Pedro has when he starts.
For 45 minutes, Chelsea had comfort, great control of the ball and stability in their movement. Cole Palmer was their best attacking player on the pitch, but even he couldn't find a way past the Brentford defence.
Palmer managed to make strides into the Brentford defence, even opening it up a few times with a weighted through ball, but no one picked it up and delivered in the final third.
Chelsea had twelve shots, only two on target, and 28 crosses, but showed no urgency; no one wanted to be at the other end of that ball, and Welbeck at 35 years old isn't quick enough to play at a high pace like Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
It didn't help that when Welbeck was subbed off, they didn't have an experienced No.9 to come on and chase the game, with Geovany Quenda not having enough time to make an impact and the 19-year-old under pressure with only 19 minutes left.
It was a toothless night for the supposed best attack in the league, which clearly missed the presence of Pedro up front.
Blues' defensive worries continue
No goals at the end of the first half was frankly a positive for Chelsea, given their problems at the back this early in the season.
For the first 45 minutes, the defence was compact, in good shape, and alert. The second 45: not so much, as the Blues were undone on a set piece in the 61st minute.
Chelsea conceded a corner; Mikkel Damsgaard whipped in a delivery into the box which was flicked on by Jannick Schuster, with Jaidon Anthony open to head it home.
Three defenders were near Anthony, but backed off and didn't try to clear the ball, therefore allowing the lead to slip away. The solidarity and positive work Chelsea had built in the first half was ultimately undone with a set piece.
After that first goal, the defence was torn apart by Brentford, who saw the opportunity and went for it, 2-0 up after Igor Thiago scored on the rebound from Kevin Schade's miss, a through pass into Schade with no Chelsea defender in sight.
Rinse and repeat with Brentford's third, from another set piece. Chelsea couldn't get rid of the ball with Schade in free range to drill in a low cross into the box for Fabio Carvalho, who poked it home at the back post.
Yet again, Chelsea found themselves in a predicament: a defensive mess, and they've now conceded twelve goals this season, while failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their five league games.
Not clear on how to deal with incoming balls; no direction on who is meant to be marking the opposition in their own defensive half; Xabi Alonso's side aren't working together well enough and have too many open gaps, which teams easily play through.
Jordan Henderson provided fresh control in midfield
Jordan Henderson of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Brentford and Chelsea at GTECH Community Stadium in London, United Kingdom, on September 18, 2026. (Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Brentford and Chelsea at GTECH Community Stadium in London, United Kingdom, on September 18, 2026. (Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The match was Jordan Henderson's first start for Chelsea - a welcome treat for their midfield, as it looked settled and worked as a unit to back up their defence.
With no Moises Caicedo, Chelsea need that defensive midfielder, and Henderson is no short of experience in that position. He didn't win any duels, but his presence and leadership offer a helpful boost.
He shouted instructions to his teammates and added control in midfield. Working well for the first half and could be the likelier option to start there as Caicedo recovers.