Branislav Ivanovic

[Styles 9,790]

He's played well at RB and I've seen plenty of people criticise him last season when he was at CB. He offers so much in the box from set pieces too that I think he's probably one of the few nailed-on starters that we have.

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.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

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.

Brilliantly put. Completely agree.

[The only place to be 11,313]

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.

I think you're downplaying him. I think he's become a very good player going forward, and Azpi got plenty of stick about his crosses last season so let's not do that thing where players become better in their absence.

Ivanovic has been one of our best players this season and the least of our issues.

[Styles 9,790]

I think you're downplaying him. I think he's become a very good player going forward, and Azpi got plenty of stick about his crosses last season so let's not do that thing where players become better in their absence.

Ivanovic has been one of our best players this season and the least of our issues.

Your definition of 'very good going forward' is very different from mine in that case. I'd use that to describe the likes of Lahm, Baines etc who are practically playmakers from fullback areas. Ivanovic is a solid, dependable defender but he isn't close to being the footballer that those two and other top RB/LB are.

I haven't said a word about Azpi so that straw-man argument is irrelevant, but since you bought him up I prefer his general link-play - not crossing - to Ivan's.

[English Freak 456]

I think you're downplaying him. I think he's become a very good player going forward, and Azpi got plenty of stick about his crosses last season so let's not do that thing where players become better in their absence.

Ivanovic has been one of our best players this season and the least of our issues.

I think you're overrating Ivanovic.

He's a top-class defender, plays with alot of passion but attacking-wise, he's very limited.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Your definition of 'very good going forward' is very different from mine in that case. I'd use that to describe the likes of Lahm, Baines etc who are practically playmakers from fullback areas. Ivanovic is a solid, dependable defender but he isn't close to being the footballer that those two and other top RB/LB are.

I haven't said a word about Azpi so that straw-man argument is irrelevant, but since you bought him up I prefer his general link-play - not crossing - to Ivan's.

My definition may be different, but I think he's been a very good player for us this term and offers a lot going forward.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

I think you're overrating Ivanovic.

He's a top-class defender, plays with alot of passion but attacking-wise, he's very limited.

So was Gary Neville. What he always had was support from the player in front and that's what Ivanovic was screaming out for (quite literally) last night.

Again, we have problems in our team but Ivanovic really isn't one of them.

[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 7,142]

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 21,751]

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 21,751]

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 7,142]

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 21,751]

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.