Key Takeaways
- Gary Cahill described Chelsea as “quite fragile” and noted “a kind of softness at the minute in terms of the way they’re conceding goals.”
- Cahill highlighted the absence of Moisés Caicedo, comparing his qualities to N’Golo Kanté as someone who “puts fires out” and covers ground.
- Jamie Redknapp noted that Chelsea “got bashed up a little bit second half” by Brentford but stressed that the manager will get things right given adequate time.
Defensive concerns deepen after West London setback
Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill expressed serious worries over the squad’s resilience following a heavy 3-0 loss to Brentford. Reflecting on the manner in which the goals were conceded, Cahill highlighted an apparent psychological drop once the team fell behind.
“I think there’s a certain element of fragility. I think they’re quite fragile and I think obviously once they’ve conceded that set piece it’s almost like you don’t want it to be a mindset but it’s like oh here we go again type scenario,” Cahill explained during the post-match analysis. “There just seems to be a kind of softness at the minute in terms of the way they’re conceding goals.”
Cahill stressed that solving these persistent issues cannot fall solely on the defensive line or the goalkeeper, insisting that defensive solidity requires total commitment from everyone on the pitch. “I think personally it’s a collective,” he noted. “The only way you can get out of that is by working hard together and making sure you’re harder to play against and be more ruthless.”
Absences and midfield stability
Both pundits pointed out that injuries have disrupted tactical consistency, specifically referencing the void left by key players in the middle of the pitch. Cahill was quick to underline the impact of missing Moisés Caicedo, comparing his dynamic defensive output to a former Stamford Bridge great.
“Moisés is definitely a player that’s missing. You know, reminds me of that Kanté role when I was at the football club. People that just puts fires out, got legs, can get about the pitch,” Cahill remarked, describing Caicedo as “one of the best in that position in Europe.”
Jamie Redknapp also weighed in on the wider collective failure to keep opponents out, pointing out that switching personnel in goal has not resolved the underlying vulnerabilities. “Four games, 10 goals I think he’s conceded. So, it just shows you it’s not necessarily the goalkeeper’s fault. It is, as Gary said, and he understands defending better than anyone. It’s a collective,” Redknapp stated.
Looking at how the contest unfolded after the break, Redknapp noticed that Brentford gained an edge through physical dominance. “The worry would be a little bit in a bit of an old fashioned term. They got bashed up a little bit second half. They didn’t really like the fight so much and I think Brentford were just a little bit more aggressive to second balls had a bit more about them,” he assessed.
Patience urged for Alonso
Despite conceding three goals in the loss and becoming the fifth manager in Premier League history to see his side ship two or more goals in his opening five matches, Cahill does not believe the manager’s position is immediately in jeopardy.
“No, he’s not under pressure. And I’ve seen firsthand he’s a hands-on manager,” Cahill argued, adding that upcoming gaps in the schedule will be crucial. “I think he will be judged in the next five, six, seven weeks to get this right because you will have that time on the training ground and then we should start to see his methods coming through.”
Redknapp agreed that time is essential to find the right balance, referencing previous success while acknowledging the tactical puzzle currently facing the coaching staff. “When he was at Leverkusen and he won the league, they went unbeaten playing three at the back and they were magnificent,” Redknapp said. “Given time, he will get it right. But there are problems because that back three, I’m trying to think what is his what is the best options for him in terms of, you know, the wing-backs.”
Brentford performance and stats
Brentford is currently 3rd in the Premier League with 9 points.
In the last 5 games, it has won twice and drew 3 times. In its last match, Brentford won 3-0 against Chelsea.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 10 goals and conceding 4.
Brentford will play the next match in Premier League against Aston Villa on Saturday 10th of October in Birmingham.
