Joao Pedro is optimistic about Chelsea’s future. Chelsea faces Brentford, with potential Garnacho debut. Brentford has mixed results under Keith Andrews. Key players include Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea has a historical advantage, aiming for a derby win.
Joao Pedro, the Brazilian forward, has expressed his optimism about Chelsea's future, predicting a "beautiful story ahead" for the club. His comments come as the Blues prepare to face Brentford in their fourth Premier League match of the season. Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, have had a promising start, securing two wins and a draw in their opening fixtures. Their most recent triumph was a 2-0 victory against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Joao Pedro himself and Enzo Fernandez.
Adding to the excitement, there is anticipation surrounding a potential debut for £40 million signing Alejandro Garnacho, who joined the club from Manchester United towards the end of the transfer window. Garnacho's arrival has further bolstered Chelsea's attacking options, giving Maresca more tactical flexibility.
Joao Pedro's transition to Chelsea has been seamless, marked by impressive performances and significant contributions. He has already notched up four league goal involvements, including two goals and two assists. His ability to find the net and create opportunities for his teammates has quickly made him a valuable asset to the team.
"I believe I made the right choice, and in the end, everything worked out. I'm at Chelsea, I'm in the national team," Joao Pedro stated, reflecting on his decision to join the London club. "I'm confident and happy, and I think this is just the start of a beautiful story ahead, not only for the national team but for Chelsea as well."
Brentford, now managed by Keith Andrews, have experienced a mixed bag of results so far this season. They have recorded victories against Aston Villa in the league and Bournemouth in the EFL Cup. However, they have also suffered defeats against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. Their most recent match saw them concede two late goals against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, resulting in a disappointing loss.
During the transfer window, Brentford bid farewell to Yoane Wissa, who completed a move to Newcastle United on deadline day. To compensate for his departure, the club signed Reiss Nelson from Arsenal on a season-long loan deal, providing Andrews with another option in attack.
Andrews shared his long-term ambition to become a head coach: "I've always been working towards being a head coach… always." He also discussed the importance of set pieces and his previous role as a set piece coach, highlighting how they can influence team selection and tactics. "Set-pieces [change] the way you look at the game, the way the team is picked," Andrews explained. "I would constantly challenge Thomas [Frank] on who we should play in the line-up because they would be more effective at set pieces. But there was definitely that mindset shift of looking at the game more from a tactical perspective, specifically through the lens of set pieces."
Players to Watch
Brentford – Igor Thiago
Igor Thiago has been in impressive form for Brentford, scoring three goals in his last four appearances across all competitions. His goal against Sunderland was a testament to his recent sharpness in front of goal. Thiago's work rate is also noteworthy, as he has applied 132 high-intensity pressures in the opposition half this season, surpassing any other player in this statistic. Additionally, he leads the way in high-intensity pressures in the final third of the pitch with 88.
Chelsea – Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez has been a key figure for Chelsea, contributing to 14 goals in his last 18 appearances across all competitions, scoring five and assisting nine. Since the beginning of last season, only Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (24) has provided more assists than Fernandez, who has 18. His creative play and ability to influence matches make him a player to watch in the upcoming fixture.
Match Prediction: Chelsea Win
Historically, Chelsea have had the upper hand in Premier League clashes against Brentford. Only one of the eight encounters between the two teams has been won by the home side, a 2-1 victory for Chelsea in December 2024. Brentford's three league wins against Chelsea have all come away from home, and they have yet to beat the Blues at their own ground in four attempts. The upcoming match marks Chelsea’s fourth London derby in a row to start the season. Having won their last two derbies, Chelsea are aiming for three consecutive derby victories in the league for the first time since February 2024.
While Brentford finished last season strongly, they have already suffered two defeats in their opening three games of the current campaign. At home, however, Brentford have been solid, securing three wins in their last four league outings. Chelsea, meanwhile, have picked up two wins from their first three Premier League games for only the second time in the past seven seasons.
Opta Win Probability
Brentford – 30.8%
Draw – 25.1%
Chelsea – 44.1%
The short trip to Brentford is up next. pic.twitter.com/FKVYcgNFNZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 8, 2025 </blockquote