{"id":5224,"date":"2026-09-19T06:17:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T06:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5224"},"modified":"2026-09-19T06:17:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T06:17:29","slug":"chelseas-biggest-defensive-problem-is-set-up-to-be-perfectly-exposed-by-brentford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5224","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea’s biggest defensive problem is set up to be perfectly exposed by Brentford"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea have a number of issues at the back which have already cropped up this season, however their ability to defend set-pieces remains a real concern.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is despite the Blues hiring set-piece specialist Austin McPhee to try and work his magic on them at both ends of the pitch.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea<\/a> have been able to generate more chances in attack from these scenarios. Romeo Lavia has already found the net via a corner this season.<\/p>\n

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What changes are you making to our predicted Chelsea XI to face Brentford? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n

This is going to be far from easy\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s set-piece woes are in danger of being exposed by Brentford<\/h2>\n

However, they still give up plenty of chances, totalling to 1.57 xG against them from set-pieces, which is seventh-highest in the league.<\/p>\n

This does not provide encouraging signs when heading into their upcoming West London derby against Brentford<\/a>, who have proven to be set-piece specialists.<\/p>\n

The Bees have the second highest xG created from set-pieces this season, with long throw-ins also a real asset for them.<\/p>\n

Chelsea have been stung by this before. The Blues were heading to the top of the table when they led their rivals last season, only for a throw-in to cause chaos in their penalty area and lead to a Fabio Carvalho late equaliser.<\/p>\n

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The Blues have shown very recent struggles when it comes to defending these situations. Emi Martinez didn\u2019t cover himself in glory<\/a> when Hull equalised from a corner last week.<\/p>\n

They tried to add height and physicality to their first team squad over the summer, which makes it even more peculiar that Maxence Lacroix didn\u2019t start against Hull<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Frenchman is a certainty to return to the starting side for their clash tonight, likely joined by Josh Acheampong and Levi Colwill.<\/p>\n

The only positive as far as Chelsea are concerned when it comes to their defensive woes is that they are about to enter a three week international break, where plenty of their players are set to remain at Cobham.<\/p>\n

This will allow a combination of McPhee and Alonso to work on set-piece defending, after the stern examination that is set to face them in West London tonight.<\/p>\n

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