Branislav Ivanovic

[iseah100 5,612]

With Perdro presumably becoming a starter at right side, does this mean that Azpilicueta has to be played as a right back because the lack of cover Pedro provides for defence? I know Pedro has a decent workrate in him but he surely ain't Willian who will probably move to a more central role. To me Pedro signing is a also clearly an indication that Jose is getting sick of Ivanovic.

One can only hope.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Theoreticaly Pedro is still harder worker than Hazard so its Hazard who need more protection from behind.

But I hope Mou finaly goes with normal football style. Play Azpi on right because he is fucking right back. He will get well with Pedro as well. After spending 20m on fullback Baba, play him for god sake. Baba and Hazard will work well eventualy. Sure in begining we might have some problems with defending on that side, but longterm, the two fit eachother great. Baba can go forward, and actualy contribute to attack and at same time elevate Hazard play to next level.

The only thing, is Mou brave enough to give Baba and Hazard a real chance or will he stick to his old football with no imagination?

I absolutely hate that our fullbacks are so poor in general play. Take a look at Alaba and Lahm, Marcelo and Carvajal, Alba and Alves etc. Some of those can match and even surpass our midfielders and attackers in terms of creativity, ball control and passing. And we are stuck with Iva and Azpi(on wrong side) who dont contribute to our general play at all. Iva scores some key goals indeed, but his play is still poor.

Long gone are the days of Ashley terrorizing the flanks of left side but at same time not allowing anyone get past him.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Theoreticaly Pedro is still harder worker than Hazard so its Hazard who need more protection from behind.

But I hope Mou finaly goes with normal football style. Play Azpi on right because he is fucking right back. He will get well with Pedro as well. After spending 20m on fullback Baba, play him for god sake. Baba and Hazard will work well eventualy. Sure in begining we might have some problems with defending on that side, but longterm, the two fit eachother great. Baba can go forward, and actualy contribute to attack and at same time elevate Hazard play to next level.

The only thing, is Mou brave enough to give Baba and Hazard a real chance or will he stick to his old football with no imagination?

I absolutely hate that our fullbacks are so poor in general play. Take a look at Alaba and Lahm, Marcelo and Carvajal, Alba and Alves etc. Some of those can match and even surpass our midfielders and attackers in terms of creativity, ball control and passing. And we are stuck with Iva and Azpi(on wrong side) who dont contribute to our general play at all. Iva scores some key goals indeed, but his play is still poor.

Long gone are the days of Ashley terrorizing the flanks of left side but at same time not allowing anyone get past him.

How fantastic would it be if we got back our wingplay combinations with excellent crossing like cole used to do.

Our current trend in big games of trying to pass through the middle slowly without getting the shot off is killing me.

[raven8472 32]

Just a reminder that Iva has been a great servant to Chelsea and scored many important goals for the club. Who could forget that lovely floating header to win the Europe league recently I know hes not been performing great but hes not the manager and hopefully does not pick the team.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Just a reminder that Iva has been a great servant to Chelsea and scored many important goals for the club. Who could forget that lovely floating header to win the Europe league recently I know hes not been performing great but hes not the manager and hopefully does not pick the team.

No-one forgets that, but if we're going to use nostalgia as a yardstick to measure player performances then we might as well not even have these discussion topics.

[termninja 5,290]

No-one forgets that, but if we're going to use nostalgia as a yardstick to measure player performances then we might as well not even have these discussion topics.

He has a point though regarding some posts I've seen. Some people post about Ivanovic like he was signed last season, never had a good game and is only stealing his weekly wage

Incredible how easy is it to go from hero to villain.

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

The only thing is Mourinho's teams in the past have never really had two full backs going forward the whole time like we seen under AVB in that spell where it went wrong.

He always had one guy out of the two given more freedom to get forward, Ivanovic, Maicon, Marcelo... so I don't think hes gonna particularly gonna go gun ho and will have one more disciplined but that is no surprise. Would like to try Azpi on the right and Baba on the left, or even just having Baba play LB.

[Tomo 21,733]

No-one forgets that, but if we're going to use nostalgia as a yardstick to measure player performances then we might as well not even have these discussion topics.

Well tbf some people still shoot down any criticism of Torres by mentioning Barcelona, despite the fact he would have blown the whole tie for us if it weren't for Bosingwa.

[Jase 43,479]

Mourinho on our poor form...

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/21/jose-mourinho-bab-rahman-pedro-chelsea

“I’m not happy at all, I’m not happy with anyone,” Mourinho said. “Not one [of the team]. We have one point from two matches and, first of all, I’m not happy with my own form because I’m used to getting better results than I’m getting now. I’m not happy with Branislav Ivanovic’s form, with Gary Cahill’s form, with John Terry’s form, with César Azpilicueta or Cesc Fàbregas’ form, Eden Hazard’s or Nemanja Matic’s. But, for me, the first thing is I’m not happy with my own form.

He has finally mentioned Ivanovic!

[termninja 5,290]

Mourinho on our poor form...

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/21/jose-mourinho-bab-rahman-pedro-chelsea

He has finally mentioned Ivanovic!

And first of all the players. He has also labelled City's second goal as stupid and it was Ivanovic who was destroyed by Kompany on it.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

Ffs what does it take to get him dropped ???

[Fernando 6,453]

He is never going to be dropped!

Although to be fair I thought baba was not ready for the game today so Ivan was the default choice.

[Last Sicarius 610]

How many goals he must give to enemy team to he goes to bench??? We have Baba now so i have hope...

[killer1257 3,282]

One of his best performances I have seen from him....

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

GET THE FUK OUT!!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Every goal from his wing. He doesn't know how to defend one on one anymore

[TheIceMan 596]

Fantastic performance!

Just beyond any abuse right now! He is so terrible it's just not worth it anymore to anger myself! Just gonna sit there and LMAO of this embarrasement of a RB!!!!

[mediator 2,026]

He is finished, would be perfect as squad player, can't ask for more