Branislav Ivanovic

[Special Juan 28,133]

Imagine if it was Terry who did that to Sanchez instead......

Banned for life.

[The Chels 2,502]

I wonder if Jose instructs Ivanovic to drop narrow and become a 3rd CB since he does it all the time. It obviously helps with the aerial battle in the middle but it gives the opposition wingers so much space and means our right winger has to defend 1v1 often. Do that against Di Maria and we're in big trouble.

[DH1988 1,348]

I wonder if Jose instructs Ivanovic to drop narrow and become a 3rd CB since he does it all the time. It obviously helps with the aerial battle in the middle but it gives the opposition wingers so much space and means our right winger has to defend 1v1 often. Do that against Di Maria and we're in big trouble.

+1 just asking for a cut inside shot

[BloodIsBlue 291]

+1 just asking for a cut inside shot

My worries with Ivanovic isn't him stoping the inside runs, its how he consistently fails to close down defenders when they cross. He would much rather let someone cross in those positions then fail a tackle and allow them to run into the box behind him. It's not even just allowing the cross, he gives them a lot of space (as he stands there with his hands behind his back) and the cross will come in with a perfect trajectory. Luckily we have straight up mahogany in the box with Terry and Cahill, but I'm always biting my nails when Ivanovic lets in these crosses.

[DYC. 7,542]

I wonder if Jose instructs Ivanovic to drop narrow and become a 3rd CB since he does it all the time. It obviously helps with the aerial battle in the middle but it gives the opposition wingers so much space and means our right winger has to defend 1v1 often. Do that against Di Maria and we're in big trouble.

When you see a player move into certain positions on a consistent basis, it's always because of instructions. If Mou doesn't like him doing so, he'll always order him to change his ways.

It's the same with Azpi staying behind the ball during attacks most of the time, or Fabregas sticking to his (deep midfield) position in big games.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

I wonder if Jose instructs Ivanovic to drop narrow and become a 3rd CB since he does it all the time. It obviously helps with the aerial battle in the middle but it gives the opposition wingers so much space and means our right winger has to defend 1v1 often. Do that against Di Maria and we're in big trouble.

Of course he does. There is less danger when your opponent is wide than when he is running in between a full back and a centre back. This is basic defending. If you ever played even remotely serious 11 v 11 football you would know this.

Anyways, this thread disgusts me every time I open it. The bloke gives his heart to Chelsea, fights for the shirt, has been doing that for years. Yet you come here and out of 83 pages 50 are filled with bashing and insulting.

[The Chels 2,502]

Of course he does. There is less danger when your opponent is wide than when he is running in between a full back and a centre back. This is basic defending. If you ever played even remotely serious 11 v 11 football you would know this.

Anyways, this thread disgusts me every time I open it. The bloke gives his heart to Chelsea, fights for the shirt, has been doing that for years. Yet you come here and out of 83 pages 50 are filled with bashing and insulting.

'Basic defending' that leads to most of the opposition's threats and goals coming down our right flank where there is usually acres of space as Ivanovic casually backs off into the box or when he is in position allows the cross in anyway. And there is less danger when the opposition are running at a winger (which was in some attacks Dom Solanke yesterday) just outside the box than when they're running at a DM shielding two defenders?

[LAB 1,030]

[chelseafc9010 224]

On the Brana defending thing, I think Jose has told him to go in tight with the centerbacks, to allow JT and Cahill to shift to the left, which allows Azpi to be in a wider position. So with this in place, and the right winger (normally willian) dropping back, you get a solid back 5 without sacrificing Hazard. Although I haven't noticed it, but some of you seem to think Ivan goes in too tight, so maybe that's why.

[The Chels 2,502]

Runs all the way back with the QPR player who takes the shot but decides to walk away and leave him completely unmarked on the edge of the box...

http://zippy.gfycat.com/AlarmingMediumAmericancicada.webm

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Runs all the way back with the QPR player who takes the shot but decides to walk completely away and leave them unmarked on the edge of the box...

http://zippy.gfycat.com/AlarmingMediumAmericancicada.webm

He's practically not a defender this season, but has been an immortal attacking wise.

[The Chels 2,502]

He's practically not a defender this season, but has been an immortal attacking wise.

Probably because he has the license to do whatever he wants for some reason (without ever being criticsed/dropped). Even Hazard has more defensive duties than him!

[LAB 1,030]

Who the fuck knew the kind of form Brana would be in this season offensively though? Currently not benchable, sorry Azpi.

[Jase 43,479]

Who the fuck knew the kind of form Brana would be in this season offensively though? Currently not benchable, sorry Azpi.

Slightly disagree with that. His early season form shouldn't be a surprise TBH. Including the previous 2 seasons, he has always started the season on fire - scoring goals, creating tons of chances, assisting others - before reverting to his 'crappy' self. And he seems to be heading back to that form.

[LAB 1,030]

Slightly disagree with that. His early season form shouldn't be a surprise TBH. Including the previous 2 seasons, he has always started the season on fire - scoring goals, creating tons of chances, assisting others - before reverting to his 'crappy' self. And he seems to be heading back to that form.

He nearly scored again today. What makes you say that?