Chelsea's struggles intensified on Friday night, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Brentford. The match highlighted the issues within the squad, particularly regarding summer signing Valentin Barco, who faced significant criticism following his first Premier League start.

The 22-year-old midfielder, partnered with Jordan Henderson, failed to make an impact. All three goals from Brentford came in the second half, scored by Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago, and Fabio Carvalho. This loss left Chelsea winless in three league matches, placing them seventh in the table.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol expressed doubts about Barco's readiness for a starting role. He stated:

When you lose a goal, the guts of your team are the ones that have to go around everybody, particularly Henderson. Barco isn’t ready quite yet to be starting in that midfield because I don’t really remember him particularly impressing on any part of the game.

Nicol pointed out Barco's lack of physical presence and speed, emphasizing the need for a strong midfield to drive the team forward. He acknowledged Barco's youth but insisted that performances must be evaluated critically.

Barco joined Chelsea from Strasbourg this summer on a contract until 2033, after a promising season with 12 goal contributions in 43 appearances. Despite this, Chelsea's midfield balance remains a significant concern, especially with the absence of key player Moises Caicedo.

The match against Brentford revealed Chelsea's vulnerability, as they have now conceded 12 goals in five league matches and have gone 21 consecutive Premier League games without a clean sheet. While Barco's versatility and technical skills were key factors in his signing, it is clear that the demands of the Premier League require more immediate contributions than he was able to provide on this occasion. Alonso may need to integrate Barco into the squad more gradually as the team navigates its midfield challenges.