“Out of control”: Alonso urges patience after Brentford rout exposes Chelsea’s wider defensive frailties

Xabi Alonso has said Chelsea‘s defensive issues are more than set pieces after his side lost ‘control’ at Brentford.

Chelsea crashed to a humbling 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Friday evening , as second-half goals from Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and substitute Fabio Carvalho sealed an emphatic win for the home side.

Alonso’s side had competed during a tight first half, but fell apart after the break as defensive issues continue to plague the early period of the new manager’s reign.

Chelsea have conceded 12 goals in just fivePremier League games this season, a leading total in the division ahead of the weekend fixtures.

Alonso had spoken about his team’s need to tighten up ahead of the game, but watched on as Chelsea were exposed again. According toOpta, the Spaniard is only the the sixth manager to see his side concede 2+ goals in each of his first five games as a Premier League manager, after Mick McCarthy, Sammy Lee, Terry Connor, Slavisa Jokanovic, and Scott Parker.

Alonso: ‘It’s not just set pieces’ as Chelsea ‘lose control’ in 3-0 Brentford humbling

Speaking post-match, Alonso said his team’s defensive problems are more multifaceted than set-piece improvement.

“It’s not just set pieces, but in duels, defence, in build up, in and when we conceded first, but still we were in the game, but when you lose shape, you are out of control,” he said toSky Sports.

“So to be able to understand the game, to know what it takes to be competing until the end, is a process. It takes time for them to feel that. And at the moment we are not feeling it fully to compete for the whole game.

“You know that the small details can be decisive. You don’t have to give advantage in these kind of games. But it’s about 95 minutes and we have not been able to keep that level throughout these few games in the start of the season and it’s something that we’ll have to do better.”