Analysis: Chelsea solidity proves short-livedpublished at 22:32 BST 18 September
22:32 BST 18 September
Sam Drury BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
After such a positive start to the campaign with back-to-back wins and goals aplenty, things have quickly got tricky for Chelsea.
It is now three league games without a win, seven goals conceded in that time and 12 in total this season – plus another three in the Carabao Cup.
With those defensive concerns in mind, Alonso brought in Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco to shore up the midfield, and for an hour it worked.
The pair were booed throughout by the Brentford fans, Henderson as a former Bees player and Barco for his antics with Argentina at the World Cup, but did a good job of winning their battles and looking after the ball.
But that added solidity seemed to come at the expense of the attacking verve that has been so evident early in the season.
Cole Palmer provided glimpses of his quality but the absence of the injured Joao Pedro was sorely felt, both before and after they fell behind.
For all they had Brentford penned in at 1-0, they struggled to create anything that could be considered a clear opportunity until the game was already lost while their frailties at the back resurfaced.
'51% Jarrad' - Tuchel explains choosing Branthwaite over Colwillpublished at 16:58 BST 18 September
16:58 BST 18 September
England boss Thomas Tuchel says the decision to include Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite over Chelsea's Levi Colwill in his England squad for the upcoming international break was as close as "51% on Jarrad".
Both left-footed central defenders were not included in this summer's World Cup squad after 2025-26 campaigns significantly disrupted by injury.
On Colwill, 23, who missed the entirety of the campaign with a serious knee injury but has started three of Chelsea's opening four Premier League games, Tuchel said: "He is very close. I have a very clear picture of what Levi can give to his team and to us, and about his strengths."
Branthwaite's hamstring problems limited him to just 10 Premier League appearances last season but the 24-year-old has played every minute of Everton's league games so far in 2026-27.
"I wanted to give Jarrad the chance. He was injured several times when we had the chance to call him up," Tuchel explained.
"Now he had a very good start with Everton and is also left-footed - it was just a 51% on Jarrad because I don't have a clear idea what he is about but I have a clear picture of what Levi can bring us."
How Lavia has avoided becoming risk-aversepublished at 12:06 BST 18 September
12:06 BST 18 September
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia says he is finally reaping the rewards of his hard work, feeling "free" again and determined to "change the narrative" around him.
The 22-year-old is on the verge of enjoying his longest spell in the Chelsea side and, if he completes 60 minutes against Brentford on Friday, he will surpass his previous best run of 518 minutes without injury - including pre-season matches.
Such progress has been some time in the making.
Lavia made just one appearance in his first season at Stamford Bridge because of a serious hamstring injury. In his second campaign, he suffered a series of setbacks and missed 33 games - down from 42 games in his first season - before significantly improving his availability last term.
He featured in about half of Chelsea's matches in 2025-26, and has remained available throughout pre-season and the opening weeks of the new campaign.
"There is so much that goes on behind the scenes," Lavia told BBC Sport, adding that he has a checklist he likes to tick off to ensure he is in the best condition for any given match. "It is a big process, but we are doing well at the moment."
It has been about overcoming the mental toll of repeated setbacks and also avoiding becoming risk-averse.
"I've learned that you can always go further than you think you can," he said. "You can always push your limits."
Lavia's importance has only increased in Xabi Alonso's midfield, with Moises Caicedo limited to 14 minutes this season and Enzo Fernandez leaving for Manchester City.
"I really like being in my position and also being at this club," he added. "Having this responsibility isn't even pressure because it is just a privilege. I'm actually living the dream. This is what I've been training all these years for."
For Lavia, it is about ticking off milestones and enjoying the journey, both collectively and individually, after scoring his first Chelsea goal in a 4-3 win against Brighton.
"It was just a moment where I felt free," he explained.
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Bournemouth).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
Brentford v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:34 BST 18 September
09:34 BST 18 September
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Unbeaten Brentford host a Chelsea side struggling for consistency under manager Xabi Alonso.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night.
Brentford continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought Carabao Cup win at Reading on Tuesday. Next on their agenda will be a return to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Bees have turned into something of a draw specialist in the top flight, with 10 of their past 14 Premier League fixtures ending level, including three of four this season.
They have opened the scoring in all four matches before being pegged back in the past three, conceding late equalisers in 1-1 draws with both Leeds United and Sunderland.
And this fixture in particular tends to produce a stalemate. Brentford are winless in all five home London derbies against Chelsea in the Premier League, with the most recent four ending level.
If Brentford are to right that record, targeting set-pieces could be a useful strategy. Only Leeds have a higher expected goals tally from set-pieces this season, while Chelsea have the seventh-highest total against (1.57).
Chelsea's chaotic start under Xabi Alonso continued with a 2-2 draw with Hull City at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
They have let in 12 goals in five games against Premier League opposition this season, including the 6-3 EFL Cup win over Leeds, conceding at least twice in each of those matches.
Defensive issues, though, predate Alonso's arrival, with Chelsea failing to keep a clean sheet in the league since January.
The summer signing of goalkeeper Emi Martinez from Aston Villa was supposed to bring an element of calm to a vulnerable backline but only Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and Coventry City have conceded more goals so far, while Chelsea are ceding clear opportunities to opposing teams.
They have faced the joint-most shots on target (26) of any top-flight side in 2026-27. Only winless Fulham have faced more big chances than Chelsea's 15, evidencing how open they can be to play against.
Like Brentford, Alonso's side have opened the scoring in all four league outings this season, so the result of this meeting may rest on who best manages going ahead.
Chelsea can take confidence from a good recent record in this fixture after going unbeaten in the past five meetings (W2, D3). They can also call on the services of the Premier League's most in-form forward to help continue that record.
Joao Pedro has scored three goals and assisted three in this season's Premier League, two more goal involvements than any other player.
Should the Brazilian falter on this occasion, Danny Welbeck is waiting in the wings. The 35-year-old has already scored three EFL Cup goals following his summer move from Brighton, but he is yet to open his account in the Premier League.
Welbeck, though, has scored in his past three Premier League meetings with the Bees.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Chelseapublished at 08:33 BST 18 September
08:33 BST 18 September
Chelsea are free-scoring and their frontline is so dynamic, but they are leaking goals left, right and centre - and they are a bit of a rabble at the back.
I do think Chelsea will stop conceding eventually, but finding the right balance between defence and attack is Xabi Alonso's big problem at the moment. It is far too easy to create chances against his side.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has got that balance in his team. They are very dangerous on the counter-attack, so you have to think they will hurt Chelsea too.
This fixture finished in a 2-2 draw in September last year, and I can see it going the same way this time.
'Owners are talking the talk, let's see if they walk the walk'published at 19:08 BST 17 September
19:08 BST 17 September
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Clearlake Capital taking full ownership of Chelsea and whether Thursday's statement brought you any more clarity.
Here are some of your comments:
Nick: Anyone taking sole control will be good for direction and purpose. The fact that it's Clearlake is good for the redevelopment of the stadium. It was reported to want redevelopment of the existing site and that will help keep our identity more than a move to Earl's Court would have.
John: We will have to wait see if there's change in any plans as it's too early to know.
Phil: It is a good thing. Todd Boehly wanted to be seen as the main man and tried to follow what he thought was a good business modelm, but his decisions plus poor recruitment backfired on him. Priority has to be the ground and at least we won't have opposing views any more.
Dan: The new ownership is certainly an interesting move forwards. As long as it brings a new stadium (at the Stamford Bridge site) and some trophies then I am not overly fussed.
Keith: The owners are talking the talk, let's see if they walk the walk. I very much doubt it by what's gone on so far during their ownership.
Nick: Boehly entered the arena to disrupt football. He succeeded only in disrupting Chelsea. One down, one to go.
Clifford: Very sad that Boehly has departed. He was a good man, with all good intentions, and anyone who thinks differently is blind. Unfortunately, in the past he was guided wrongly by Winstanley and his team of sporting directors - thank goodness Xabi Alonso has put his foot down. Todd came into this club blind and was relying on certain people to guide him in the right direction. He invested his money where his mouth was.
Malcolm: It's unbelievable what a club with the success we had at Chelsea has become since Boehly took control. All the goodwill we had was just thrown away by their negligence. Look at the number of average players we bought on extended contracts and the numbers we still have. It can only improve...
Alonso on ownership, Joao Pedro and Brentfordpublished at 15:51 BST 17 September
15:51 BST 17 September
Tasnim Chowdhury BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the ownership news announced on Wednesday, Alonso said: "I think it is an important day for the club. Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role. I have a very good relationship with Behdad [Eghbali]; he was the one who came to Madrid to explain the project to convince me and we are working well together."
On his confidence in Chelsea to compete for trophies: "That is why we are here. To work to get into that position, knowing that the competition that we have but for sure the ambition of the club, the potential of the club, the dimensions of the players, of where we are. We know where we want to be. We know everything takes time but the ambition for that is very clear."
On team news: "In terms of injuries, we are having the last training session tomorrow so no one is ruled out for us for Friday so I prefer to be cautious and we will be waiting until tomorrow to make the final decision on every player."
When asked about Brazil forward Joao Pedro, Alonso did not confirm an injury, but said it could be a "possibility" that he plays for Chelsea on Friday but not the international team.
Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo is "getting closer" to fitness. The club will see captain Reece James' development before deciding if either player will be involved in Friday's game.
Alonso said he does not know if Caicedo is in the Ecuador squad and he is focused on when the midfielder plays for Chelsea: "It is international duties, sometimes you can't control them so we will see what happens."
He said when you are in the Premier League "you realise how tough it is each game, how tough it is to win" and added: "You need to give your best level because you get punished when you are not. We have experienced that."
On Brentford: "They do [set pieces, long throws and fast transitions] very well but not just that. They do other things, not just the transition, not just the set-pieces. I think it is a team, a club that has developed the project and the game very well. They are very complete in many aspects, with or without the ball. And playing there, you see the numbers, they have great strength playing at home so it is going to be a big challenge. I saw the game from last year, you learn everything and it is going to be a big test for us."
'Our ambition is clear' - have your say on ownership newspublished at 12:07 BST 17 September
12:07 BST 17 September
Image source, Getty Images
The Chelsea ownership has released a statement, external looking to the future after the news that chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walter have sold their stakes in the club to majority owner Clearlake Capital broke on Wednesday.
It means Clearlake - led by co-founders Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano - have now acquired full control of the club.
Boehly, Walter and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss each had a 12.8% stake, with Clearlake previously owning 61.5% of the Blues.
The statement in full:
"Yesterday marked an important milestone and the beginning of the next chapter for Chelsea.
"We thank our departing partners and are grateful for their contributions to the club. We move forward with a shared sense of purpose, clear direction and confidence in what comes next.
"Our ambition is clear: to compete at the highest level, to win major trophies, and to build sustained success.
"Chelsea FC supporters are the heart of this club and have been its true custodians for over 120 years. While we have the responsibility of ownership, this will always be your club. We are committed to listening, and building a Chelsea you can be proud of, on and off the pitch.
"Success on the pitch will always be our first priority. That means competing to win the Premier League and other major trophies and strengthening the club commercially so that we can invest consistently in the team. We will also maintain our focus on Chelsea's future infrastructure – investing thoughtfully and pursuing the right long-term solutions for generations to come.
"We are ambitious about what Chelsea can achieve, and equally conscious of the responsibility that comes with leading this great club.
"We will keep working to move Chelsea forward – together."
We want to hear from you. How are you feeling about the current ownership situation at the club? Does this news bring needed clarity? And has your perception changed at all with a more recent feeling of increased stability?
Can Chelsea salvage Paez's career?published at 07:34 BST 17 September
07:34 BST 17 September
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Attacking midfielder Kendry Paez has finally pulled on a Chelsea shirt, three years after agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge - albeit for the club's under-21 side.
Chelsea agreed a £17.27m deal to sign Paez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in 2023 when he was 16, but his development has not progressed as quickly as many expected.
Now 19, Paez made his first appearance in Chelsea colours for Cobham Next Gen, the club's newly-renamed Under-21 side, as a 12th-minute substitute in a 4-1 win away to Arsenal on Saturday.
It comes after new manager Xabi Alonso said the midfielder was "not in my plans" and Chelsea listed him as an academy player on the club website.
There was one reminder of Paez's quality in the dying moments of Cobham Next Gen's (Chelsea Under-21s) defeat at Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
It was an outswinging cross from a short corner routine, which Harrison Bettoni tapped in during added time. He then put in another cross that caused havoc as Chelsea chased an equaliser in front of just 778 fans.
It was a much-needed boost for Spanish-speaking Paez, who appeared to stand alone from the other academy players before kick-off.
He did join in their warm-ups but mostly kept to himself before coming on in the 62nd minute.
Ultimately Chelsea lost, while Paez was a peripheral figure playing as a right-sided number 10, like Cole Palmer, in a system that mirrored Alonso's back-three shape.
That was until his flurry of activity late on.
Although he is not Chelsea's youngest player, Paez has already made 70 appearances for Ecuadorian side Independiente and more than 100 senior matches in total.
It is something he can fall back on in a more than salvageable situation.
Chelsea have been encouraged by his attitude, having him back in the building at Cobham where he has trained in a stable and elite environment.
There is stability around him as family attended his recent match at Wycombe.
The Blues are also now able to monitor his development more closely, while academy matches are regularly attended by scouts from across the English Football League and beyond.
There is optimism from those close to Paez that he can impress and gain a first loan move in England in January, or one of the six international loan spots will become available for him to go overseas again.
It is more than possible he can rediscover the form that attracted Chelsea in the first place and fulfil the immense potential that made him one of South America's most coveted young talents.
Gossip: Chelsea summer target being considered by Liverpoolpublished at 07:20 BST 17 September
07:20 BST 17 September
Liverpool are considering a January move for 22-year-old Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, who missed out on a deadline-day move to Chelsea. (Football Insider, external)
Academy trio Nicoll-Jazuli, Watson and Subuloye train with first teampublished at 15:17 BST 16 September
15:17 BST 16 September
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Academy prospects Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Watson and Tayo Subuloye have been training with Chelsea's first team this week before Friday's Premier League meeting with Brentford.
Watson, 16, made his debut in last week's 6-3 Carabao Cup win over Leeds. However, Nicoll-Jazuli, also 16, and 18-year-old Subuloye are yet to make their senior competitive debuts, despite featuring in pre-season friendlies under Xabi Alonso.
The trio were notably absent from Chelsea under-21s' EFL Trophy defeat by Wycombe Wanderers in midweek, having instead trained with the senior squad.
It remains to be seen whether Alonso will include any of them in his plans for the Blues' final match before the international break.
The 2-1 defeat at Adams Park also provided evidence of the club's growing tactical alignment between academy and first-team football.
Under-21 manager Harry Hudson used Alonso's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, and it is understood the system is increasingly being adopted across Chelsea's academy age groups to better prepare players for a potential step up to the first team.
Gabriel kick on Martinez not a red card offence - panelpublished at 12:02 BST 16 September
12:02 BST 16 September
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal defender Gabriel did not commit a red card offence when he kicked Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head earlier this month, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has said.
Several players were on the floor near the goalline when the Brazil defender attempted to kick a loose ball, but made contact with Martinez's face.
Referee Chris Kavanagh could not see the incident, while video assistant referee Darren England did not initiate a review.
Both decisions in the fifth minute of Arsenal's 2-1 win have been unanimously supported by the KMI Panel.
The panel said: "Multiple players were on the ground competing and challenging for the loose ball, and the action of Gabriel was not deemed to be an act of violent conduct or serious foul play."
'Do the basics really well' - Terry's advice to Chelseapublished at 15:16 BST 15 September
15:16 BST 15 September
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea captain John Terry has advised the Blues' young squad to "do the basics really well" to avoid a repeat of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull City.
Xabi Alonso's side have won two of their four league games this season and impressed in a 6-3 Carabao Cup victory over Leeds United.
Chelsea, who have shown promise under Alonso, are looking to avoid going three league games without a win.
"The only advice I can give in these moments, and when you go through these moments as a player, [is] do the basics really well," Terry said in a review of the Hull match on his YouTube channel.
"When you have got time to play on the ball, you have got to be really comfortable because that is the game now, but when you get opportunities, especially against teams like that [Hull] that are going to throw bodies in the box, long crosses, long throws, direct balls from the goalkeeper, you have to win those battles.
"So again, [it is] the real basics of blocks, tackles, headers from corners, from long throw-ins, all of these bits - just get the ball as far away as possible, and get people in front of you working as hard as possible. For me, that's the real basics, [and] you don't see enough of it now.
"The amount of times I used to make tackles or a big header, and the supporters would love it - they are the bits as a defender that have to get your blood going, and it is those little moments that we need to get better at."
The draw against Hull has allowed leaders Arsenal and Manchester City to open up a five-point lead on the Blues, with their next game against Brentford on Friday.
"I think, firstly, we need to get settled," Terry added. "Let's not panic, but it just feels like it is an opportunity missed.
"But Friday night becomes massive now before international break, it is a game we now have to go and win."
Why was Martinez sold to Chelsea 'on the cheap'?published at 08:08 BST 15 September
08:08 BST 15 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
The question as to why Aston Villa sold goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez so "cheaply" to Chelsea this summer has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Ask Me Anything form for the West Midlands club.
On the face of it a deal worth £7.5m to sell a World Cup winner and Villa's best goalkeeper in the Premier League era does look a steal.
But Martinez had been looking to go for the past two summers, Villa had a replacement already in the building in Zion Suzuki and the transfer sagas were getting tiring.
Last summer, it was potentially Manchester United and this time it was Juventus - until Chelsea made their move to take him to Stamford Bridge.
A parting of the ways was best for both parties and, don't forget, Villa were also looking to reduce the wage bill and the average age of the squad.
With Martinez being one of the higher earners and older players it made sense to find a solution for him.
Juve could not agree a fee, having tabled fairly low offers, and it looked like Martinez was staying, especially when head of football operations Damian Vidagany said in the summer his future was at Villa Park.
Image source, Getty Images
