Chelsea came back from the first international break of the 2026/27 season after a crushing 0-3 defeat against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The team under Xabi Alonso completely lost the second half, conceding three unanswered goals and failing to create any meaningful threat against the Bees.
With a few weeks before the next fixtures, Alonso has time to make the adjustments necessary for Chelsea to start firing on all cylinders under his management.
Defensive improvements are particularly vital, as Chelsea have already conceded 12 goals in just five Premier League matches this season. As Alonso seeks solutions to these defensive woes, BritBall.Net (BBN) suggests that a tactical overhaul might benefit the team post-break.
BBN calls for the abandonment of the 3-4-3 formation primarily used by Alonso, advocating instead for a more familiar 4-2-3-1 setup moving forward.
The outlet highly recommends the inclusion of young Josh Achempondu as a central defender alongside Maxence Lacroix, with Marco Palhinha taking the right-back slot. Additionally, a double pivot of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia—once the Ecuadorian is fully fit—should be employed, with Cole Palmer positioned as the attacking midfielder.
Estevao Willian is suggested as a potential right winger option in the near future. As a result of these tactical choices, the proposed lineup sees the omission of key players such as captain Reece James, Levi Colwill, Yorrel Hato, and Pedro Neto.
Alonso’s side are set to return after the international break with a home clash against Bournemouth on October 10, and only time will tell how many changes the Spaniard dares to implement.
