Branislav Ivanovic

[Phil Driver 503]

Thought he was our best player last night ,but agree about his limitations when in a forward position, In an ideal world Branna would be the best defensive cover in world football and would play most games at C/B or R/B . When you need to break teams down at home though he lacks the technique to make us tick. Dave is not the answer either though ,from what I have seen.

[Stats 7,030]

He's brilliant at set-pieces, but that goes without saying considering his size.

It's in open-play where we suffer. He's perfect at RB when we're doing a backs-to-the-wall defensive effort against the likes of Barca/Bayern, but when we dominate play and need better combination play + more guile on the flanks then he's simply not good enough. I'm not singling him out because I've said the same about Ashley. Our wing-play is poor because our fullbacks aren't particularly good technically and clever on the ball. You look around the top European clubs and their fullbacks are brilliant, technically gifted players. Ashley and Ivan are excellent defenders but they provide very little going forward.

The sad thing is Cole used to be excellent at attacking as well but as he is getting older, just seems he does not have the legs anymore. Him and Evra are the same age but Evra still has that attacking instinct. I remember a few seasons ago Cole was one of the best attacking fullbacks. His goal against Sunderland was perfect, when we beat Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates, they could not handle his runs and if IIRC Cole provided 2 assists in that game. Was brilliant to watch. That is why in games we expect to win, for instance Fulham at home I would like to see Bertrand at LB because he has the ability to support attackers and is simply a better attacker and he has done well most times I have seen him in a Chelsea shirt.

[Tomo 21,730]

Maybe not so much these days, but Ivanovic was brilliant as a right back under Ancelotti.

Drogba, Malouda and Lampard (rightly) get showered with plaudits for that season, but Ivanovic at right back instead of Bosingwa was also a big factor to us winning it too.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Maybe not so much these days, but Ivanovic was brilliant as a right back under Ancelotti.

Drogba, Malouda and Lampard (rightly) get showered with plaudits for that season, but Ivanovic at right back instead of Bosingwa was also a big factor to us winning it too.

That's the key word, right there: "instead of Bosingwa". That man can make Ross Turnbull look like a decent RB in comparison.

[Tomo 21,730]

That's the key word, right there: "instead of Bosingwa". That man can make Ross Turnbull look like a decent RB in comparison.

He was top class at right back under Ancelotti, probably the best in the whole league. It baffles me how its rarely acknowledged.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He was top class at right back under Ancelotti, probably the best in the whole league. It baffles me how its rarely acknowledged.

Under Ancelotti? You mean the season where he was injured almost all of it or the season that he was mostly Iva's sub? Bosingwa had a good first season here, but was hardly the best in the league. We may have different ideas on what a fullback should do. Imo, a fullback should defend first. Anything he provides on the offense is a bonus that counts for nothing unless he does his defensive duties first.

[Stats 7,030]

Under Ancelotti? You mean the season where he was injured almost all of it or the season that he was mostly Iva's sub? Bosingwa had a good first season here, but was hardly the best in the league. We may have different ideas on what a fullback should do. Imo, a fullback should defend first. Anything he provides on the offense is a bonus that counts for nothing unless he does his defensive duties first.

He was up there with Sagna IMO but as you say was vulnerable in defence. Overall though thought he was very good and scored a couple of excellent goals as well.

[Tomo 21,730]

Under Ancelotti? You mean the season where he was injured almost all of it or the season that he was mostly Iva's sub? Bosingwa had a good first season here, but was hardly the best in the league. We may have different ideas on what a fullback should do. Imo, a fullback should defend first. Anything he provides on the offense is a bonus that counts for nothing unless he does his defensive duties first.

I was on about Ivanovic being excellent as a right back under Ancelotti, not Bosingwa. I thought Bos was crap even under Scolari when he was getting more plaudits than there is crocodiles in the nile.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I was on about Ivanovic being excellent as a right back under Ancelotti, not Bosingwa. I thought Bos was crap even under Scolari when he was getting more plaudits than there is crocodiles in the nile.

Lol, my bad. Yeah, I actually agree there. I said somewhere that he's been on the decline since Ancelotti left and got slatted for saying I think it's time we cashed in on him back in the summer. Right now, my issue with Iva is his positioning and his inability to close crosses down. Lost count of the times we've conceded because of that.

[Jase 43,479]

Mourinho said in his post-match Chelsea TV interview that he has no doubt Ivanovic is his first choice right back..

[didierforever 7,349]

another brilliant performance. should work on his crosses though.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

Mr smooth criminal, he was an out and out gangster tonight!

Great performance in every aspect.

[Jase 43,479]

another brilliant performance. should work on his crosses though.

Not even sure why is he crossing the ball though. I mean who the heck is going to win those headers or challenges especially against CBs like Hangeland today.

[didierforever 7,349]

Not even sure why is he crossing the ball though. I mean who the heck is going to win those headers or challenges especially against CBs like Hangeland today.

i am not sure if it was he or someone else who put the low-cross that etoo almost scored from when he got ahead of stockdale.

but yes, most of his crosses are purely executed and well worthless since no striker of ours goes to win the ball.

[Jase 43,479]

i am not sure if it was he or someone else who put the low-cross that etoo almost scored from when he got ahead of stockdale.

but yes, most of his crosses are purely executed and well worthless since no striker of ours goes to win the ball.

It was Ivanovic that crossed the ball. If we are to put in crosses, it should be low ones and delivered in quickly behind the opposition defence before they get too deep to cut those out OR cut backs to someone in the box. Otherwise, high crosses are absolutely pointless. Only perhaps useful if we play Ba upfront.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Fantastic against Fulham. The energy, the passion, determination. He is a warrior.

Having a very good start so far, a lot better than last year. Hopefully Jose now rotates a bit, Dave to get his chance.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Another fantastic performance and his engine is unbelievable. Always available on the right in a way that we simply don't have on the left - would like to see Azpi play but this guy is untouchable at the moment.

One of the first name on the team sheet.

[Stats 7,030]

The countless times Fulham players attempted to get past him but none of them succeeded once. Simply a beast, was definitely up for contender of MOTM with Oscar.