Whatever way you slice it, losing 4-1 to Brentford is not a good thing. Chelsea are the World and European Champions and on a run of seven consecutive wins, they were expected to swat The Bees away.
The second half capitulation was spectacular and gave the Blues a harsh reality check as the business end to this season fully commences. There will not be much time to safely regain confidence as a blockbuster clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League awaits on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.
In a rematch of last Spring's semi-final, this year's quarter-final is set to test Chelsea's title defence in new ways as Thomas Tuchel aims to keep his incredible cup record going. Reaching the final of every competition he's entered with Chelsea.
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel's fresh Brentford revelation tempts Chelsea fate ahead of Real Madrid clash
And despite the doom and gloom of Saturday's embarrassment, there are jokes amongst Chelsea fans online that this is all a ploy to lure Los Blancos into a false sense of security.
As Chelsea podcaster and writer, Joe Tweedie noted after full time, the positive about the defeat to Brentford is the Blues playing 4D chess, getting Real's scouts exactly where Thomas Tuchel wants them. Hopefully lowering their guard enough for the Blues to repeat the performance they executed in 2021 to beat Real on route to the trophy.
It also is a slight repeat of Real's own recent embarrassment at home, losing 4-0 to their fiercest rivals Barcelona at the Bernabeu in El Classico. It was a humiliating evening for Carlo Ancelotti's side one that exposed all of their weaknesses, giving encouragement to Chelsea ahead of this month's two-legged tie.
Madrid midfielder Toni Kross recently revealed that he would have liked to avoid Chelsea in the draw, reflecting how fierce a proposition the Blues have become under Thomas Tuchel since he took over from Frank Lampard in January 2021.
Chelsea will be hoping to bounce back quickly after their first defeat in 27 games, only their fourth in the Premier League this season. If there is any complacency from the La Liga giants, Tuchel will be hoping to pounce on it to get Chelsea closer to reclaiming their European Cup.
