Levi Colwill has admitted Chelsea will have a lot of homework to do during the international break after Friday’s disastrous 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford.

The Blues now head into the three-week international break after a devastating result. 

The west London derby defeat to Brentford not only extended Chelsea’s run without a clean sheet since the win over League One side Luton Town in the Carabao Cup’s second round, but also ended their impressive goalscoring record so far this season. For the first time this campaign, Chelsea failed to score.

The absence of Chelsea’s primary goalscorer, Joao Pedro, due to injury played a role, but the hosts undeniably outplayed them at the Gtech Community Stadium that night.

While the Blues held more possession at 59 per cent, Brentford had more shots on target, created more big chances, and obviously got the win. According to Opta, Chelsea had just 0.83 xG, while the latter had 2.9.

The match was quite even in the first half with a goalless scoreline at half-time. Brentford took the lead from a corner kick in the 61st minute, and it went downhill for Chelsea from then on.

Desperately searching for an equaliser, Chelsea conceded the second goal, then the third late in the game.

“First of all, seeing the set piece, obviously we weren't the best,” Colwill told Sky Sports in a post-match interview. 

“We tried to push and maybe overexposed ourselves, played some passes we shouldn't have, and forced it.

“They hit us on the counter, which they're so good at, and got the second goal. The third goal really hit home and hurt.

“In the second half, we weren't good enough, obviously. We've got a lot to work on over the international break.

"We have not been good enough; at times we have been bullied, and we need to improve at that. 

“But we trust in our set-piece coach. We are still adjusting to new things, but we do need to improve as a team."

The Chelsea manager could not hide his frustration after the game and openly expressed his disappointment in his team.

“I’m disappointed with the second half and with the result,” Alonso said.

“This is not enough to compete in the Premier League. We were not able to maintain our level for the full 90 minutes, and that’s why we were punished today."

The timing of the international break is a mixed blessing for Chelsea. 

Having to dwell on such a devastating loss could hurt the team’s morale, of course, but the break also gives Alonso and Chelsea time to address the issues, especially in defence.

As Colwill pointed out, a lot of work to do in the next three weeks. Several players will be occupied with international duty, but Colwill and many others will stay. Colwill, in particular, has been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.

Among the defenders, Maxence Lacroix (France), Jorrel Hato (Netherlands), and Josh Acheampong (England U21s) will be on international duty, but Alonso could work with Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Pep Chavarria, and Malo Gusto, who will stay at Cobham.

This will also allow key players such as Joao Pedro, Reece James, and Moises Caicedo, who are nursing injuries, to recover.

Chelsea will return to action on October 10, in a Premier League home game against Bournemouth.