Branislav Ivanovic

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Defensively he is still poor. Gave ball away few times and is oftenly out of position.

But boy that was awesome strike from Iva.

[didierforever 7,349]

One of the only players with the mentality of a true champion. We have some great players like Hazard (or Oscar, and many others) that in this moments we can't rely on them. We have that in Ivanovic.

hahahahahhahahahahahah,,,

[The Chels 2,502]

Why does he find it so hard to maintain concentration?

[Madmax 9,219]

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Surprised to see him mentioned for MOTM. The goal was pretty awesome, but even though I couldn't watch the match properly, I could see he was out of position a few times and he completely lost Okore for the goal, he didn't even know where he is.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

He has the spirit. Jose like him. He will play again and again. No matter what we say in here not gonna change it a bit. So, whether you accept it now, or someday you will finally have to accept it.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Why does he find it so hard to maintain concentration?

His awareness is poor, granted.

But it would be unfair if you had an absolute bulldozer of a defender who has a surprising turn of pace AND perfect mental awareness.

[WNDS 502]

I'm sorry, but he just frustrates me so much. When the going gets tough, he can frequently turn in excellent (sometimes match-winning) performances; when he is feeling the pressure he often rises to the occasion. This is why so many fans (and Mourinho himself) hold him in such high regard.

However, I maintain that a player as prone to losing concentration as he is should simply not be guaranteed starts every single game, regardless of the qualities he may possess. Many of us have noted with annoyance that the team seems particularly prone to throwing away leads this season, and that problem is going to persist if Mourinho continues to let Ivanovic get away with his lax defensive play.

Yesteday's game is a case in point; the team appeared to be attempting to cruise through the game after having taken a one-goal lead, and all it took was for Ivanovic to completely lose Okore (whom he was clearly supposed to be man-marking) in the box and we had lost our lead. Of course, Ivanovic then proceeded to clean up his mess with the game-winning goal, and I DO give him credit for that, but I would rather find myself giving him credit for a game in which he defended well and contributed to a clean-sheet instead.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2944598/Branislav-Ivanovic-scored-Chelsea-s-win-Aston-Villa-s-giving-Blues.html

He do it on purpose, in all post match photos. Maybe as a sympathize with what happened on Costa and Jose.

[CFC888 219]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2944598/Branislav-Ivanovic-scored-Chelsea-s-win-Aston-Villa-s-giving-Blues.html

He do it on purpose, in all post match photos. Maybe as a sympathize with what happened on Costa and Jose.

I got the impression that Oscar and Willian's photos with him were taking the piss out of him for missing the changeroom photo.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I got the impression that Oscar and Willian's photos with him were taking the piss out of him for missing the changeroom photo.

Ah yeah, or maybe that. Like Cole lurking photo, and everybody make fun of it

[Jase 43,479]

Credit to Ivanovic for popping up with the winner on Saturday. However, on the other hand, he was found wanting again defensively for Okore's goal. Was marking him at first but then completely lost him and caught ball watching as the ball came into the penalty area.

Absolutely hopeless and Mourinho praised him so much after the game for scoring the winner, almost turning a blind eye on the fact that it was him who made the mistake for Villa's goal in the first place and caused us to go search for the winning goal.

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Surprised to see him mentioned for MOTM. The goal was pretty awesome, but even though I couldn't watch the match properly, I could see he was out of position a few times and he completely lost Okore for the goal, he didn't even know where he is.

Credit to Ivanovic for popping up with the winner on Saturday. However, on the other hand, he was found wanting again defensively for Okore's goal. Was marking him at first but then completely lost him and caught ball watching as the ball came into the penalty area.

Absolutely hopeless and Mourinho praised him so much after the game for scoring the winner, almost turning a blind eye on the fact that it was him who made the mistake for Villa's goal in the first place and caused us to go search for the winning goal.

In my opinion normally I'd say rule one of defending crosses... don't let the cross come in!! Although in all fairness fair play to Carles Gil for throwing Oscar to create the yard of space, was great skill but a bit easy, mentioned that he could create something for Villa in the thread before the game. Ivanovic at least said in the interview he wasn't happy with his performance so he knows he could do better.

[LAM09 7,043]

Crazy to think we almost let him go to Milan at one stage. His two goals against Liverpool was the beginning of his Chelsea career.

He can make mistakes here and there, but he's vital for us.

[Jase 43,479]

In my opinion normally I'd say rule one of defending crosses... don't let the cross come in!! Although in all fairness fair play to Carles Gil for throwing Oscar to create the yard of space, was great skill but a bit easy, mentioned that he could create something for Villa in the thread before the game. Ivanovic at least said in the interview he wasn't happy with his performance so he knows he could do better.

1. Thought Oscar should have done better. Was beaten a tad too easily by Gil.

2. Ivanovic should have been marking Okore till the danger is completely gone and not just stand there and be some sort of headless chicken.

3. Action speaks louder than words. He could have said his performances haven't been good for the past few months to himself but until he actually shows improvement on the pitch, then his words mean nothing.