{"id":5415,"date":"2026-09-20T10:17:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T10:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5415"},"modified":"2026-09-20T10:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T10:17:30","slug":"three-chelsea-stars-who-must-improve-after-international-break-as-two-fan-favourites-disappoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5415","title":{"rendered":"Three Chelsea stars who must improve after international break as two fan favourites disappoint"},"content":{"rendered":"


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After losing 3-0 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday, it is clear that Chelsea have a lot to work on.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues<\/a> have the worst defensive record in the Premier League this season, already conceding 12 goals in just five games! Everyone needs to improve after the international break.<\/p>\n

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However, a few players really have to raise their game after making very disappointing starts to the 2026\/27 campaign. Who are they? The Chelsea Chronicle<\/strong> has listed three of them.<\/p>\n

Reece James<\/h2>\n

Reece James<\/a> did not play in Chelsea\u2019s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, but he has featured in all of his side\u2019s other Premier League games this season. In those matches, we did not see the best of James.<\/p>\n

James has mostly been playing in midfield, which may be the issue. Honestly, he has not done much in the engine room, or not as much as he did when Enzo Maresca played him there.<\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso<\/a> is having to contend with injuries, while Chelsea failed to replace Enzo Fernandez<\/a>. But James starting in midfield cannot be a long-term solution. He is a fan favourite, but in this kind of form, it will not be long before some Chelsea supporters start to turn on their captain.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s player ratings after that disastrous performance\u2026 do you agree with us?<\/h3>\n

Who deserves higher and who deserves even lower? \ud83d\ude33<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Malo Gusto<\/h2>\n

Like James, Malo Gusto<\/a> is a right-back who has been forced to play in midfield because of Chelsea\u2019s issues in the middle of the park this term. It is an experiment that has not worked either.<\/p>\n

Gusto has been so poor on the ball. That has to change after the international break, especially if he continues playing in midfield.<\/p>\n

Having to be on the ball so much more is probably what has exposed the Frenchman\u2019s limitations. So just as in James\u2019 case, midfield is not where you want to see Gusto operating in the future.<\/p>\n

Levi Colwill<\/h2>\n

Coming through Chelsea\u2019s academy like his current captain, Levi Colwill<\/a> is also a fan favourite. However, supporters have not been too pleased with his performances during the current campaign.<\/p>\n

Colwill\u2019s defensive numbers have been quite mixed<\/a>, but you do not need stats to know that the England international is not at the top of his game right now. The eye test is enough, and Colwill has failed that this season.<\/p>\n

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