Joe Cole fears Xabi Alonso is 'furious' with the Chelsea board after the head coach turned to 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli during Friday's 3-0 defeat at Brentford, a decision pundits have interpreted as a pointed message about the club's midfield recruitment.
The Blues conceded three times in the second half at the GTech Community Stadium, having now shipped at least two goals in every Premier League game this season. Moises Caicedo has still not started a league match this term due to a muscle injury, and was absent again against the Bees, while Reece James also missed out despite regularly featuring in midfield under Alonso.
Teenage debutant sent on with Chelsea chasing game
With Caicedo and James unavailable, Alonso named 36-year-old Jordan Henderson in midfield alongside summer signing Valentin Barco. Romeo Lavia was among the substitutes, but it was Nicoll-Jazuli who was introduced as Chelsea chased the game late on, two goals behind before Fabio Carvalho struck in injury time.
Midfield was arguably Chelsea's strongest area last season, but the squad now looks considerably lighter after selling Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernandez to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively. Fernandez left on deadline day, and a deal to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco as a replacement collapsed at the last minute.
Pundits read substitution as 'big message' to board
Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray identified Nicoll-Jazuli's introduction as a 'big message' to Chelsea's decision-makers, arguing central midfield has been a 'big blind spot' for the club.
'I think when Xabi Alonso brings on the young boy Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli at 16 when you're 2-0 down, that is a message to the board that you don't have enough in midfield with Santos and Fernandez leaving in the transfer window,' Murray told Premier League Productions. 'It's a big blind spot for them, they have had right-backs playing in the centre of midfield on a few occasions, today they have two natural midfielders in but bringing the 16-year-old was a big message.'
Alonso has used three different midfield combinations in five league games this season, with right-back Malo Gusto also deployed in the middle of the park.
Cole: Alonso's frustration 'clear as day'
Chelsea legend Cole agreed the intentions behind Alonso's late call were 'as clear as day,' believing the manner in which he left the pitch at the end of the game spoke volumes.
'Glenn is absolutely right, 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,' Cole said. 'That was clear as day for me. And the way he walked off at the end, I think he is furious with that.'
The defeat leaves Chelsea winless in their opening five league matches, with Alonso's side next facing a home fixture against Brighton. The club's midfield options remain thin ahead of the January transfer window, with Caicedo's fitness still a concern and no direct replacement for Fernandez secured.
