Branislav Ivanovic

[the wes 7,212]

Branislav Ivanovic has scored 7 goals in the CL since 2009, more than any other defender. Giant.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

From a rock at defending to a goalscorer. What is next for Branislav?

I'm one of those people who think defending well is the priority for any defender, full-back or centre-back. Anything beyond that is a bonus. This is the reason I never even thought about considering Sergio Ramos as a world class defender, I don't care many times he saves Madrid's ass all I know is that he makes way too many mistakes and loses concentration very often.

With Ivanovic it's the same story. However, I used to like him a lot three or four years ago where he was a better defender while being a danger at set pieces as well. Right now he is the same at Dani Alves, he can only be a danger going forward. It's ridiculous to me how every pundit in the country is describing him as a monster of a defender while he is the complete opposite. For a top class team like us that is/or at least wants to challenge for the Champions League trophy he is just not reliable at defending.

I don't want to discourage the fact he has earned us a couple of points with his crucial goals, but like I said, that's not his job. He shouldn't be the one scoring those goals. He should be there when Moreno is raping the right side of our defence, when Salah is lurking behind him, when Okore tries to lose him, or when Milner is making a run behind him. Not only he has already costed us a few goals there could have been many more which he got away with. That first half against City is an example. The match could have been over in the first 45 minutes with City 3 goals ahead because of his poor passing and inability to concentrate. Against Liverpool, if it wasn't for Courtois we wouldn't have been in Wembley beucase of Ivanovic constantly being out of position.

I don't like seeing Dave at left-back any more either. While he is a fantastic defender, that knows when to press or when to cut passing lanes, I think he just cuts the team's momentum whenever he gets the ball. He constantly switches the ball to his right foot and then passes it to the middle, making it easier for the opposition, especially the ones in the CL, to press our midfield.

I think the ideal solution for us is to play Dave at right-back and Luis at left-back, Luis is a player who I admire greatly and I don't have a clue how he is not starting for us. I think Jose's inability to trust him in his first season, and blinding himself with Ivanovic's occasional goals have been the reason. It was obvious Luis was going to take time to settle in, more obvious when you're defender and we all know how hard it must be to settle to the fast paced game of England.

Luis presses incredibly well, is a good one on one defender and is very good with the ball. I really want him to succeed here.

[Jase 43,479]

From a rock at defending to a goalscorer. What is next for Branislav?

I'm one of those people who think defending well is the priority for any defender, full-back or centre-back. Anything beyond that is a bonus. This is the reason I never even thought about considering Sergio Ramos as a world class defender, I don't care many times he saves Madrid's ass all I know is that he makes way too many mistakes and loses concentration very often.

With Ivanovic it's the same story. However, I used to like him a lot three or four years ago where he was a better defender while being a danger at set pieces as well. Right now he is the same at Dani Alves, he can only be a danger going forward. It's ridiculous to me how every pundit in the country is describing him as a monster of a defender while he is the complete opposite. For a top class team like us that is/or at least wants to challenge for the Champions League trophy he is just not reliable at defending.

I don't want to discourage the fact he has earned us a couple of points with his crucial goals, but like I said, that's not his job. He shouldn't be the one scoring those goals. He should be there when Moreno is raping the right side of our defence, when Salah is lurking behind him, when Okore tries to lose him, or when Milner is making a run behind him. Not only he has already costed us a few goals there could have been many more which he got away with. That first half against City is an example. The match could have been over in the first 45 minutes with City 3 goals ahead because of his poor passing and inability to concentrate. Against Liverpool, if it wasn't for Courtois we wouldn't have been in Wembley beucase of Ivanovic constantly being out of position.

I don't like seeing Dave at left-back any more either. While he is a fantastic defender, that knows when to press or when to cut passing lanes, I think he just cuts the team's momentum whenever he gets the ball. He constantly switches the ball to his right foot and then passes it to the middle, making it easier for the opposition, especially the ones in the CL, to press our midfield.

I think the ideal solution for us is to play Dave at right-back and Luis at left-back, Luis is a player who I admire greatly and I don't have a clue how he is not starting for us. I think Jose's inability to trust him in his first season, and blinding himself with Ivanovic's occasional goals have been the reason. It was obvious Luis was going to take time to settle in, more obvious when you're defender and we all know how hard it must be to settle to the fast paced game of England.

Luis presses incredibly well, is a good one on one defender and is very good with the ball. I really want him to succeed here.

Think most of us would like to see that happen but as long as Mourinho is still managing us, doubt we are going to see Luis at LB and Azpi at RB happening any time soon...unless somehow Ivanovic suffers a serious injury (touch wood) or his form/performances go completely downhill. Not sure if this is true but Don Hutchinson mentioned before on PLTV that he once asked Steve Clarke who is Mourinho's favorite player at the club and his response was Ivanovic, because he will run through brick walls/do anything for Mourinho.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

Now can be seen as one of the best defender in Chelsea history for me

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Now can be seen as one of the best defender in Chelsea history for me

B-b-bbbut he doesn't close down

[Rapkun 668]

Costa should fear for his place with this guy's current form.

[The Chels 2,502]

Did you see the pace with which he ran back when Burnley had that chance right at the end? Never knew he had that in him. I wish he'd show that kind of determination to get back quickly more often.

[Azpinator 2,325]

"Liverpool must be sick of the sight of the Blues No2."

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/blogs/boilerplate-allincfc/allincfc/gallery_ivanovics_greatest_hits.html

I love our webstie.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Amazing he's only 3 years younger than Terry...we should be planning for a future without Brana too

Did really well yesterday imo, he seems to be making far fewer defensive mistakes nowadays especially with Zouma in the squad..

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Inform striker update for this guy incoming.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

if he scores again Madrid will be after him lol.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

if he scores again Madrid will be after him lol.

Swap with Varane will be fine for me

[iseah100 5,612]

Swap with Varane will be fine for me

NO[emoji35]

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

:blue scalf: Happy Birthday Big Butt Brana! :blue scalf:

[robsblubot 3,468]

I honestly think you are all fucking crazy around here...

Ivanovic is a top player and we are lucky to have him.

He is a very good rounded player and a master with set pieces. Is there any other player in the world who is more of a threat in set piece situations?

Like it or not, set pieces win games and titles.

[The Chels 2,502]

He is a very good rounded player and a master with set pieces. Is there any other player in the world who is more of a threat in set piece situations?

Like it or not, set pieces win games and titles.

This is true. No team only scores goals from open-play so not sure why anyone would object.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

I honestly think you are all fucking crazy around here...

Like it or not, set pieces win games and titles.

Don't get me wrong, I go fucking mental whenever Ivanovic scores and does his funny pointing to the head celeeration. But, all of this is not his job. He shouldn't be the one saving our ass by scoring goals, if anything thats a bonus. His priority is defending, and while I'm hundred percent he has the potential to be a rock at defence but its lack of concentration that constantly lets him and the team down a lot.

[robsblubot 3,468]

Don't get me wrong, I go fucking mental whenever Ivanovic scores and does his funny pointing to the head celeeration. But, all of this is not his job. He shouldn't be the one saving our ass by scoring goals, if anything thats a bonus. His priority is defending, and while I'm hundred percent he has the potential to be a rock at defence but its lack of concentration that constantly lets him and the team down a lot.

I keep hearing of this lack of concentration which usually comes from England supporters and ironically I think the English team is awful in defense. And it has little to do with concentration but IMO characteristics - just listen to some pundits and you will understand it: hard to defend when your cbs or FBs sit in front of the gk and can/want only hit row Z, but I digress.

You and I don't know what Ivanovic is instructed to do before each match, so you are making a lot of assumptions and I suspect they are wrong based on the evidence We have. if jose were indeed telling Him to keep position and Iva would bomb forward Jose would have dropped him in a heartbeat. Is it not safe to assume that Iva has been doing what Jose instructs him to do?