EPL News

Chelsea’s Defensive Set-Piece Problem Is Becoming a Serious Concern

6 days ago

Chelsea’s defensive struggles from set pieces have become one of the most worrying aspects of their 2026/27 Premier League campaign. The problem is not simply the number of goals conceded, but the quality of chances being allowed from corners and other dead-ball situations. The Blues are repeatedly giving opponents opportunities from extremely close range, including inside the six-yard box.The concern has carried over from last season. Chelsea have conceded 23 Premier League goals from set pieces since the beginning of last season, joint-most in the division, according to Opta data cited by Sky Sports.A New Set-Piece Coach, But the Same ProblemChelsea recognised the issue during the summer by appointing Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa as their new set-piece coach. The 46-year-old is widely regarded as one of the leading specialists in the area, having helped Villa become one of the Premier League's more productive set-piece teams. Villa scored 18 league goals from set pieces last season, five more than Chelsea.MacPhee also brings an established relationship with Roberto Martínez, developed through their work together with Portugal. His arrival was therefore viewed as a significant investment in an area where Chelsea had already struggled.However, the early evidence suggests there is no immediate defensive transformation.Chelsea conceded five set-piece goals in their opening five league matches, the most in the Premier League at that stage. Their struggles were particularly visible in the 3-0 defeat at Brentford, when Jaidon Anthony opened the scoring from a cleverly executed corner.Brentford Exposed the WeaknessThe Brentford goal was an excellent example of the problem.Mikkel Damsgaard delivered towards the back post, where Jannik Schuster attacked the ball and headed it back across the six-yard area. Jaidon Anthony was then left with a simple close-range header. The Premier League's official match report confirms that Schuster diverted the delivery across goal before Anthony finished from almost underneath the crossbar.The physical mismatch was particularly striking. Schuster, listed at around 190cm, was able to attack the ball against Chelsea's much smaller Valentin Barco. Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt later explained that Brentford had identified the space at the back post and deliberately targeted it after half-time.That makes the concession more concerning than an isolated individual mistake. Chelsea's opponents are beginning to identify specific weaknesses within the defensive structure and attack them deliberately.The Physical ProblemChelsea have added greater height and physicality to their squad, but the team can still find itself at an aerial disadvantage against some Premier League opponents.This matters because set-piece defending is not exclusively a coaching problem. Once the ball is delivered, players still have to win individual aerial contests, track runners and attack the first ball aggressively.The Brentford goal demonstrated what can happen when the wrong physical matchup develops. Chelsea's defensive organisation allowed one of Brentford's taller players to attack the back-post area against a significantly smaller opponent.Former Chelsea captain John Terry subsequently criticised the decision to have Barco dealing with Schuster, arguing that Chelsea need their strongest aerial defenders protecting the most dangerous areas.Attack Shows MacPhee’s PotentialThere is at least one encouraging aspect. Chelsea have already shown that MacPhee's expertise can improve their attacking set pieces.Chelsea scored four set-piece goals in their opening five league matches, putting them among the Premier League's best attacking sides from dead-ball situations. The club itself highlighted their attacking threat before the Brentford match, noting that only Brighton had scored more from set pieces at that point.That suggests the issue is not necessarily MacPhee's tactical ability. Rather, defensive set pieces require collective discipline, physical commitment, communication and individual execution.Chelsea Cannot Afford to WaitThere is some reason to believe Chelsea's defensive numbers could improve through natural variation. Five goals conceded from roughly three expected goals from set pieces indicates that opponents have been unusually efficient in converting their opportunities.But Chelsea cannot simply assume the numbers will correct themselves.The wider defensive picture is already troubling. The Brentford defeat extended Chelsea's run without a Premier League clean sheet, while Sky Sports noted that they had conceded at least two goals in each of their first five league matches under Xabi Alonso.MacPhee may eventually find the right combination of zonal responsibilities, player matchups and routines. But Chelsea's defenders must also become more aggressive and coordinated when defending their own box.Set pieces are supposed to provide marginal advantages. For Chelsea right now, they are providing their opponents with major opportunities — and that is a problem Xabi Alonso's side cannot afford to ignore.

Danny Drinkwater Reflects on Chelsea Career: “I Don’t Regret Moving”

6 days ago

Former Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater has reflected on his difficult spell at Stamford Bridge, insisting he does not regret joining the club despite admitting that he regrets how his Chelsea career ultimately unfolded.Drinkwater joined Chelsea from Leicester City in August 2017 for a reported £35 million transfer fee, arriving at Stamford Bridge after playing a key role in Leicester’s remarkable 2015/16 Premier League title triumph alongside N’Golo Kanté. Speaking recently to The Athletic, Drinkwater explained that turning down Chelsea was never a realistic option for him.“I don't regret moving [to Chelsea]. In hindsight, I regret how it's turned out. I think I could never turn it down.”The move initially appeared promising. Drinkwater made his Chelsea debut in a League Cup victory over Everton and scored his only goal for the club in a 5-0 Premier League win over Stoke City in December 2017. He also played an important role during Chelsea’s 2018 FA Cup-winning campaign, starting four of the club’s seven matches in the competition.However, his opportunities soon became increasingly limited. Drinkwater made just 23 appearances for Chelsea, scoring once, and his last competitive appearance came in the 2018 Community Shield. He subsequently spent time on loan at Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa and Reading before leaving Chelsea when his contract expired in 2022.The midfielder previously described the period as one of the most frustrating spells of his career, admitting that he felt he had wasted some of his best years.Drinkwater’s Chelsea story remains a fascinating example of how quickly football careers can change. He arrived as a Premier League-winning midfielder with Leicester and England experience, but struggled to establish himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.Ultimately, his latest comments suggest there is no regret over taking the opportunity—only disappointment over how the Danny Drinkwater Chelsea career turned out.

Reggie Watson Named PL2 Player of the Month for September

1 week ago

Chelsea midfielder Reggie Watson has been named the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for September after an impressive run of performances for Cobham Next Gen.The 16-year-old midfielder scored three goals in two Premier League 2 matches during September, helping Chelsea maintain their progress in the competition. His performances earned him the monthly award ahead of an eight-player shortlist selected by the Premier League's Football Development Panel.Watson produced his standout performance against Arsenal Under-21s, scoring twice in Chelsea's impressive 4-1 victory. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot before producing a superb free-kick that found the far corner after striking the post.He continued his excellent form against Fulham, scoring Chelsea's second goal in a 3-1 comeback victory with a long-range effort. Those goals meant Watson had found the net in each of Chelsea's opening four PL2 matches of the 2026/27 campaign.Reggie Watson's Chelsea First-Team ExperienceWatson's rapid development has already seen him move beyond academy football. Born on January 26, 2010, the midfielder joined Chelsea from Crystal Palace during his Under-15 season and became a regular for the Under-18s last season. He helped the team win both the Southern and National Premier League titles and also gained UEFA Youth League and Under-21 experience.His progress accelerated during Chelsea's 2026 pre-season tour, when he featured against Western Sydney Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan and Johor Darul Ta'zim. He subsequently made his competitive first-team debut against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup, starting in midfield at Stamford Bridge.Watson, who wears the No.31 shirt for Chelsea's first team, has been described by the club as a composed midfielder with strong qualities in possession and an ability to deliver dangerous set pieces. He also represents England at youth level.With his PL2 Player of the Month award now added to his growing list of achievements, Reggie Watson is emerging as another exciting name from Chelsea's renowned academy system.