{
  "id": 8389773,
  "title": "EPL: Alonso sent furious message to Chelsea during 3-0 defeat to Brentford – Joe Cole",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/epl-alonso-sent-furious-message-to-chelsea-during-3-0-defeat-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T05:42:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/19/epl-alonso-sent-furious-message-to-chelsea-during-3-0-defeat-to-brentford-joe-cole/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Chelsea player Joe Cole has highlighted that manager Xabi Alonso sent a strong message to the club's board during the team's 3-0 loss to Brentford on Friday. The decision to bring on 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli in midfield was particularly contentious, as Cole pointed out. Chelsea had allowed at least two goals in each of their first three Premier League matches this season, following the exits of Moises Caicedo and Reece James due to injuries. Alonso opted for the experienced Jordan Henderson alongside the new signing Valentin Barco in midfield. With Romeo Lavia in the substitutes' bench, Nicoll-Jazuli was the young player selected to come on late in the game when Chelsea trailed by two goals. Cole's assessment, as reported by Metro, was clear: \"Xabi Alonso is sending a message to the board saying we have not got enough, and I’m putting a 16-year-old kid into midfield when we are chasing a game away to our rivals.\" The midfielder's demeanor upon exiting the pitch further suggested Alonso's frustration with the decision. Chelsea has suffered two early-season defeats so far: a 2-1 loss to Arsenal and the recent 3-0 loss to Brentford.",
  "summary": "Former Chelsea player, Joe Cole has noted that the club’s manager, Xabi Alonso, has sent a ‘furious’ message to the board through his decision to introduce 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli during their 3-0 loss away to Brentford on Friday evening. The Blues conceded three goals in the second half at the GTech Community Stadium on Friday evening, having now allowed […] EPL: Alonso sent furious…",
  "key_points": [
    "Xabi Alonso sent strong message to Chelsea board during 3-0 loss to Brentford.",
    "16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli substituted in midfield, sparking controversy.",
    "Cole criticized Alonso's decision, calling it lack of sufficient players."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Xabi Alonso's decision to bring on 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli in a 3-0 loss to Brentford signals to Chelsea's board that he believes the team lacks sufficient talent.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}