Chelsea signed a striker from Brighton for the second successive summer season, bringing in Welbeck to reunite him with Joao Pedro and supply assist 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 troublesome to affect the sport in the identical approach.
Joao Pedro got here into the weekend with probably the most objective involvements within the Premier League, having scored three and offered three assists in 4 appearances this season.
His impression extends past targets and assists, with the Brazilian linking effectively with Palmer and Rogers. In opposition to Brentford, nonetheless, 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 by means of damage and nonetheless ready to make his Chelsea debut.
Earlier than Brentford‘s opener, it was a carefully contested match that appeared prone to be determined by the primary objective. Chelsea, nonetheless, 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 because the begin of final season – no Premier League facet has let in additional. And Anthony’s easy header from a nook took this season’s complete to 5.
Set-piece defending was an space Chelsea sought to deal with 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 informed Sky Sports activities: “Not adequate. At instances now we have been bullied within the field and we undoubtedly want to enhance.
“Now we have full belief in our set-piece coach and are nonetheless adjusting to new concepts, however we have to enhance as a workforce.”
Like a lot of his predecessors, Alonso has been trying to instil a stronger aggressive edge inside his squad and enhance the mentality of his gamers.
That challenge has usually been linked to the comparatively younger age profile of the squad, however Chelsea fielded their oldest beginning XI since Could 2023. Henderson, in making his debut on Friday, lined up alongside fellow over-30s Welbeck and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
“I’d say that now we have dropped our consistency and our aggressive mentality within the second half. We all know that small particulars might be decisive,” Alonso stated after Brentford added two late targets.
Additionally it is honest to say Alonso continues to be experimenting with techniques and personnel, and has but to choose a method of play that offers his facet management all through a match.
“It isn’t about in search of excuses,” the Spaniard informed Sky Sports activities. “We have to take a look at one another and know that now we have to work and enhance as a result of there’s nonetheless an extended method to go.”
After the preliminary pleasure – and victories – offered by Alonso’s attacking soccer, Chelsea head into the worldwide break with critical inquiries to reply.
