9月19日凌晨，第5轮英超赛事中，切尔西在客场以0-3的比分不敌布伦特福德。比赛结束后，切尔西的前球星乔·科尔对比赛进行了深入分析。
在比赛的第87分钟，切尔西队主教练阿隆索决定派遣16岁的青训营才俊马赫迪·尼科尔-贾祖利替补登场。乔·科尔分析道：“正如格伦·穆雷所言，阿隆索此举意在向管理层传递信号，表达‘我们的人手不足，在客场寻求逆转的关键时刻，我不得不启用一名年仅16岁的中场球员。’在我看来，意图显而易见。此外，阿隆索赛后离场的姿态也让我深感他内心的愤怒。”
The central midfield role was deemed the most formidable within Chelsea's squad last term. However, during the summer transfer window, the club parted ways with both Andre Santos and Enzo, failing to secure the acquisition of Ramin Kamara as intended. With Kasey injured and Reece James unavailable for this match, Alonso had to deploy the right-back Gusto as a makeshift midfielder earlier in the season. For this encounter, Chelsea's starting duo in the middle of the park consists of the 36-year-old veteran Henderson and the new signing Valentin巴尔科.