John Terry Urges Xabi Alonso to Ditch Zonal Marking

John Terry has told Xabi Alonso to scrap zonal marking at set-pieces after Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at Brentford left them without a win in three games and stuck in tenth place in the Premier League.

Chelsea have conceded 12 goals this season, more than any other side in the division, and are yet to keep a clean sheet in five matches. Set-pieces have been the recurring problem: Chelsea and Bournemouth have conceded more league goals from dead-ball situations than any other side since the start of last season, 23 apiece.

Terry, speaking on his YouTube channel, said Brentford exploited exactly that weakness on Friday night at the Gtech Community Stadium, identifying gaps at the back post after half-time. The former Chelsea captain said he prefers man-marking to the zonal system and argued that zonal marking lets players avoid taking responsibility for opponents they ought to be picking up.

The international break gives Alonso three weeks before Chelsea's next match, at home to Bournemouth on 10 October. Cole Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad with what the club called a small injury, adding to the concerns around Stamford Bridge after a summer of heavy spending was meant to bring an improved campaign.