Branislav Ivanovic

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Put in some delicious crosses today too. Best RB in the world surely.

[Roquila 1,335]

I love this Serbian.

This comes from patriotic guy from Kosovo.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

He is playing like Ancelloti days fantastic

[bababoom 4,478]

Jose did say he wants to play a more expansive, attacking style of football. He's obviously told our fullbacks to push on forward and be more attack minded, at times last season our fullbacks wouldn't go past the half way line. Even Azpi looked dangerous at times going forward.

Ivanovic this season has been amazing, i love how he's always in the box

[Sidzeret 2,257]

I think he worked a lot on his crosses and it is really showing.

Best RB in the world, indeed

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Dont think he is actualy best fb but he shows passion and determination no one else does atm and that puts him further than his actual abilities. One of best at the moment.

[Barbara 15,149]

Dont think he is actualy best fb but he shows passion and determination no one else does atm and that puts him further than his actual abilities. One of best at the moment.

right now, who could be playing better than him? I haven't been following much of the other leagues, I'm basing my guess here strictly based on what he's been doing and how difficult is for a FB to be as effective on both ends and as influential as he's been.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

right now, who could be playing better than him? I haven't been following much of the other leagues, I'm basing my guess here strictly based on what he's been doing and how difficult is for a FB to be as effective on both ends and as influential as he's been.

I would wait for 10 games at least, than we will talk. Last year he had pretty much same start too.

[DH1988 1,348]

Yeah agreed he started last year so well then faded pretty bad, fingers crossed

[Shakez 755]

Interesting points from José in the Chelsea tv post-match interview. Normally our right wingers (Willian, Salah, Oscar) tend to cut inside, wich leaves space for Ivanovic to operate in. When he's playing with Schürrle though he's much more restricted in his attacking play because Schürrle tends to stay out wide.

[The Chels 2,502]

right now, who could be playing better than him? I haven't been following much of the other leagues, I'm basing my guess here strictly based on what he's been doing and how difficult is for a FB to be as effective on both ends and as influential as he's been.

He's been very good going forward but not defensively imo. He gets skimmed rather easily, and he comes inside too much not closing down the opposition winger quickly enough. This affords them lots of space which led to Swansea's first goal, the Routledge chance which almost went in and Naismith's goal for Everton IIRC.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Despite how awesome Brana has been going forward, I don't think he has been as good defensively as some might think. Many goals we've conceded have come down his flank and he has been caught out of position several times.

[Myself 793]

Such a brilliant player.I do not know how he got so good at going forward

Practice, practice, practice.

[Amblève. 4,995]

He's been very good going forward but not defensively imo. He gets skimmed rather easily, and he comes inside too much not closing down the opposition winger quickly enough. This affords them lots of space which led to Swansea's first goal, the Routledge chance which almost went in and Naismith's goal for Everton IIRC.

Correct. I would think that a more mobile CB pairing or a third central midfielder could cover for him though.

[DYC. 7,542]

Despite how awesome Brana has been going forward, I don't think he has been as good defensively as some might think. Many goals we've conceded have come down his flank and he has been caught out of position several times.

Being excellent both offensively and defensively is impossible. One will always outweigh the other. With the way Ivanovic has been charging forward, when possession is lost, he'll always be caught out of position. That's why players have to cover each other.