Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
After losing 3-0 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday, it is clear that Chelsea have a lot to work on.
The Blues have the worst defensive record in the Premier League this season, already conceding 12 goals in just five games! Everyone needs to improve after the international break.
However, a few players really have to raise their game after making very disappointing starts to the 2026/27 campaign. Who are they? The Chelsea Chronicle has listed three of them.
Reece James
Reece James did not play in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, but he has featured in all of his side’s other Premier League games this season. In those matches, we did not see the best of James.
James has mostly been playing in midfield, which may be the issue. Honestly, he has not done much in the engine room, or not as much as he did when Enzo Maresca played him there.
Xabi Alonso is having to contend with injuries, while Chelsea failed to replace Enzo Fernandez. But James starting in midfield cannot be a long-term solution. He is a fan favourite, but in this kind of form, it will not be long before some Chelsea supporters start to turn on their captain.
Malo Gusto
Like James, Malo Gusto is a right-back who has been forced to play in midfield because of Chelsea’s issues in the middle of the park this term. It is an experiment that has not worked either.
Gusto has been so poor on the ball. That has to change after the international break, especially if he continues playing in midfield.
Having to be on the ball so much more is probably what has exposed the Frenchman’s limitations. So just as in James’ case, midfield is not where you want to see Gusto operating in the future.
Levi Colwill
Coming through Chelsea’s academy like his current captain, Levi Colwill is also a fan favourite. However, supporters have not been too pleased with his performances during the current campaign.
Colwill’s defensive numbers have been quite mixed, but you do not need stats to know that the England international is not at the top of his game right now. The eye test is enough, and Colwill has failed that this season.