Branislav Ivanovic Needs The Chelsea Axe

Bran-Ivan

First off let me say that I have been a big fan of Branislav Ivanovic for a few years now.

Last season I even made an argument for the Serb being one of Chelsea’s best ever signings.

Ivanovic has been a warrior at right-back for the Blues.

Last term Jose Mourinho praised the defender on various occasions. He described his right-back by calling him:

“A competitive animal, a big heart,”

Towards the end of last season the Portuguese coach would go as far as to say that, like me, he thought Ivanovic was one of his club’s best signings.

But this campaign has been a nightmare for the Serbian international so far.

First off, Swansea City’s Jefferson Montero gave Ivanovic a roasting at Stamford Bridge with his red hot pace. The thirty-one year old was lucky to see the Ecuadorian winger’s backside as the Swansea man continually left Branislav flat footed.

In the big Premier League clash between champions Chelsea and last season’s runners up Manchester City, new £49m City man Raheem Sterling would also give Ivanovic a torrid time! Like a lot of his teammates, Branislav just didn’t have anyway of stopping a dominant Man City.

Then last weekend, Mourinho would watch on as his side lost for only their second time at home in the league. This time it was Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie who would show up Ivanovic. Again the defender just couldn’t find a yard of pace or stop his opponent from constantly beating him to the punch.

It hasn’t just been a disaster start to the season for Chelsea’s number two, the whole team have crumbled under the pressure of being champs.

This has lead Mourinho to come out and publicly criticise his pool of players, with Ivanovic thought to be one of the main culprits.

Maybe the defender is fretting about his contract or just had an off month. But what’s for sure is that Ivanovic has now become a liability and can no longer be carried in the starting eleven.

Jose needs to give the previously heroic and reliable right-back a rest, as he’s void of any confidence and doesn’t seem to be able to play through this current slump.

So that should mean that Cesar Azpilicueta moves to his preferred spot as the right-sided full-back and new signing Baba Rahman would then come in at left-back. Alternatively Kurt Zouma filled in on the left during preseason and could do that again if Mourinho wishes.

Then after a few weeks on the sidelines, we could see a hungry and reinvigorated Branislav Ivanovic back in the fold once again with his warrior like qualities.

Remember form can be temporary but class is permanent. Hopefully the Serbian international can prove that to be the case after a rest.

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