Xabi Alonso fires Chelsea warning after Brentford collapse

Xabi Alonso fires Chelsea warning after Brentford collapse

Xabi Alonso has challenged Chelsea to improve their mentality after their 3-0 defeat by Brentford increased the pressure on the Spanish manager.

The Blues were comfortably beaten at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho all finding the net as Brentford continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

The result leaves Chelsea without a win in their last three matches and seventh in the table, while Brentford have climbed to third.

Chelsea are also still waiting for their first league clean sheet of the season. They have conceded in every match, including in victories over Fulham and Brighton, while they also surrendered a lead against Hull last weekend.

Alonso admitted afterwards that his team must improve in several areas if they are to compete consistently in the Premier League.

"We knew that it's a process," Alonso said.

"It's only five games and each game in a competitive Premier League is really hard. We knew that it was going to be hard, it's nothing new."

However, the former Real Madrid coach was clearly unhappy with Chelsea's performance and questioned their mentality after they struggled to maintain their level for the full match.

"This is not enough to compete in the Premier League," Alonso told Sky Sports.

"We were not able to maintain our level for the full 90 minutes and that's why we were punished today.

"It's about everything. It's about the mentality, the football and the tactical things that we need to keep improving. We can do much better."

Alonso will now have time to work with his squad during the international break before Chelsea return to Premier League action against Bournemouth on Saturday, 10 October, at Stamford Bridge.

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