Chelsea signed a striker from Brighton for the second successive summer season, bringing in Welbeck to reunite him with Joao Pedro and supply help in assault.
Welbeck, 35, was tidy in possession however, with little service, managed solely 17 touches earlier than being substituted within the 71st minute.
In contrast to Joao Pedro, who’s able to creating possibilities for himself, Welbeck discovered it tough to affect the sport in the identical method.
Joao Pedro got here into the weekend with probably the most objective involvements within the Premier League, having scored three and supplied three assists in 4 appearances this season.
His impression extends past targets and assists, with the Brazilian linking effectively with Palmer and Rogers. Towards Brentford, nevertheless, Rogers arguably produced his quietest efficiency since arriving from Aston Villa in the summertime.
Rogers ultimately moved up entrance with fellow striker Emmanuel Emegha sidelined via damage and nonetheless ready to make his Chelsea debut.
Earlier than Brentford‘s opener, it was a intently contested match that appeared more likely to be determined by the primary objective. Chelsea, nevertheless, made victory a certainty for the hosts with a dramatic collapse.
Alonso has not managed to treatment Chelsea‘s set-piece weaknesses. They’ve conceded 23 targets from set-pieces for the reason that begin of final season – no Premier League aspect has let in additional. And Anthony’s easy header from a nook took this season’s whole to 5.
Set-piece defending was an space Chelsea sought to handle after they appointed Bernardo Cueva from Brentford two years in the past. This summer season, he was changed by one other extremely regarded specialist in Austin MacPhee.
Requested about Chelsea‘s defending from set-pieces, stand-in captain Levi Colwill instructed Sky Sports activities: “Not ok. At instances we have now been bullied within the field and we positively want to enhance.
“We’ve full belief in our set-piece coach and are nonetheless adjusting to new concepts, however we have to enhance as a crew.”
Like lots of his predecessors, Alonso has been making an attempt to instil a stronger aggressive edge inside his squad and enhance the mentality of his gamers.
That subject has typically been linked to the comparatively younger age profile of the squad, however Chelsea fielded their oldest beginning XI since Might 2023. Henderson, in making his debut on Friday, lined up alongside fellow over-30s Welbeck and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
“I might say that we have now dropped our consistency and our aggressive mentality within the second half. We all know that small particulars may be decisive,” Alonso stated after Brentford added two late targets.
It’s also truthful to say Alonso remains to be experimenting with methods and personnel, and has but to decide on a mode of play that provides his aspect management all through a match.
“It is not about searching for excuses,” the Spaniard instructed Sky Sports activities. “We have to take a look at one another and know that we have now to work and enhance as a result of there’s nonetheless a protracted strategy to go.”
After the preliminary pleasure – and victories – supplied by Alonso’s attacking soccer, Chelsea head into the worldwide break with severe inquiries to reply.
