Joe Cole believes Xabi Alonso sent a clear message to Chelsea’s hierarchy by turning to 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli during Friday’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
Chelsea were already two goals down when Alonso introduced the academy midfielder in the 87th minute.
It made Nicoll-Jazuli the club’s youngest Premier League player, as covered in our [breakdown of his historic Chelsea debut](https://readchelsea.com/2026/09/18/mahdi-nicoll-jazuli-chelsea-youngest-premier-league-player/).
Cole questions Chelsea midfield depth
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Speaking on Premier League Productions, former Chelsea midfielder Cole suggested the substitution reflected Alonso’s limited senior options.
Football365 reports Cole felt the decision was a message to the board after Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos during the summer without adequately replacing their midfield depth.
Cole added: “I think he is furious with that.”
That remains Cole’s interpretation rather than a public statement from Alonso.
Chelsea’s shortage has been intensified by Moises Caicedo’s fitness problems. Alonso said before Brentford that the Ecuador international was getting closer to a return, but he did not feature.
ReadChelsea previously examined how the [summer clear-out left Alonso short in central midfield](https://readchelsea.com/2026/09/02/chelseas-500m-clear-out-has-left-xabi-alonso-with-one-glaring-problem/).
Nicoll-Jazuli’s unexpected involvement at Brentford has now brought that issue back into focus.