Chelsea’s worrying xG numbers prove that exceptional attackers are carrying them so far

Chelsea's defensive and attacking struggles have raised concerns following a 3-0 defeat against Brentford. The loss marks three consecutive bad results for the club, which has now conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League after five games played. Manager Xabi Alonso criticized his team's mentality after the match, while defender Levi Colwill admitted the team was sometimes bullied by opponents.

Journalist Dom Smith highlighted that Chelsea's expected goals (xG) tally stands at just 7.3, placing them below mid-table in the league. While Chelsea's attackers have outperformed this metric to secure points early in the season, the underlying numbers suggest the team relies heavily on individual quality. Former player Joe Cole also noted that a tactical change by Alonso appeared to send a message to the club's board.