[ UK TV LIVE ]
On a day that turned from an anticipated home win into a second defeat in four league games, Chelsea were made to ponder the commonly rolled out social media question: How can you spend £1billion on transfers and not sign a world class striker?
After a month of action there are just four points to show for Chelsea's toils and it leaves them stranded heading into the first international break. The hope will be that with time the numerous new signings can settle down but, as Mauricio Pochettino himself explained after the game, most of the squad will be away for a fortnight.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja and Benoit Badiashile will all be closer to return from injury and may well act as effective 'new signings' for the Argentine head coach. However, with Nicolas Jackson underperforming his xG by a massive 2.71 at this stage, missing six big chances already, there are issues that need solving.
The Blues have backed their new recruit to be the man to lead them back into the European places but his inexplicable late miss was part of a team-wide day to forget in front of goal. Meanwhile, in Italy it has been a brilliant start to the season for Olivier Giroud aged 36.
Although the Frenchman wouldn't fit the intense style of Pochettino's play or be able to do much of the off-ball running that has made Jackson an instant hit with Blues fans it is hard not to see the irony as Chelsea struggle to replace him despite the millions spent since selling him in 2021.
As Pochettino saw countless of his team's crosses - both low and high - battered away by red shirts in the second half it was calling out for a reliable and experienced scorer of goals like Giroud. Experience and goals are two things that Chelsea seriously need, and quickly, but there's plenty to be desired at this stage.
READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news LIVE - Done deal, Eden Hazard return, Palmer hint, Toney move, Forest tie
When it came to the midfield there were less problems. Conor Gallagher performed admirably in his first game since being strongly linked with a deadline day move to Tottenham, expressing good work off the ball to keep attacks alive but he wasn't able to have an impact in the final third.
Moises Caicedo meanwhile looked assured himself with some good work throughout the day but was found wanting as his moment of poor judgement allowed Forest to pounce and score. Enzo Fernandez remains a key cog when it comes to creating chances but this was a much quieter day for him.
It was noticeable after the match that former midfield ace Billy Gilmour took such strong control of Brighton's clash with Newcastle, though. Gilmour, who was sold for just £8million last summer in a bargain deal on deadline day himself, has found gametime hard to come by.
On the south coast he demonstrated once again just why Chelsea had such high hopes for him though with former assistant manager Jody Morris taking to X (formally Twitter) to write: "Billy Gilmour best player on the pitch that first half."
Not that it's as simple as putting Gilmour and Giroud into Chelsea and solving everything, it's just ironic that their moments of delight come at a time when their skills would be appreciated back at SW6.
