Branislav Ivanovic

[LAM09 6,744]

He might as well relax this week. Take a break till he starts against Arsenal.

[Last Sicarius 610]

He makes our right side like highway to hell.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Do you know what. It isn't his fault that the manager can't see past his faults and continues to pick him.

Another woeful performance.

[The Rising Sun 709]

anyone noticed something hilarious during the game?

Every ball ivanovic tried to cross, was blocked at the spot.

Every ball that an everton player tried to cross from ivanovic's side. went straight in.

Pathetic.

[Special Juan 27,421]

Constantly doing that fucking hands behind the back thing and not closing down opponents....Rinse and repeat time after time.

This guy is finished, and his crossing once again today was fucking pathetic.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Lmao

[zakhov 253]

I know it's a bad for me to say this. But I hope he suffers from an injury.

Doesn't have to be a nasty one, just enough to keep him away for the rest of the season.

[HRiver 1,512]

Totally outdone himself this time, just when you think he couldn't get any worse. Two goals conceded thanks to him and I honestly think something isn't right with Mourinho.

[Parky 739]

No words can describe this poor excuse of a RB anymore. Im tired of criticizing him.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

If he has any shame he will retire now.

Im done. This is the last post Ill make about this guy.

[bethos1 802]

He should've been dropped years ago..

[Jase 43,479]

Call me a jerk but I wish for Ivanovic to get sent off or even injured in the next game. It's a fucking disgrace how he can get picked game after game after game despite having made 454353493767346730635 mistakes!

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

Gonna go down as a Chelsea legend when he retires! Hope for many more years of top notch performances from him.

[The Chels 2,502]

He should not have his contract renewed. The board should act objectively and if that means overruling Jose (assuming he's still here) then so be it.

[Mission 97]

He was irrefutably poor yet again today. Arguably responsible for the first two goals we conceded and provided toothless product in attack.

Some evaluations noted from the game:

1) Ineffectual crosses supplied time and time again, most being blocked or others being too close to Howard. Ivanovic applied anything but passive pressure to Galloway the whole game.

2) You must of all thought if it wasn't for Naismith, Martinez's team might have not won. Incorrect. Before Besic got injured, acres of space were being donated for Everton to play with in the opening stages, and this theme carried itself throughout the full 90 minutes.

3) Ivanovic's lack of awareness and positioning. These deficiencies are constantly being addressed with players running lengths around him, crosses that have been given too much time and consideration leading to eventual goals, and a gaping hole at our goalkeeper's far post. His defensive arrangements are always too central, not tightly tuned enough or completely invisible.

4) The physical condition of the Serb. The pace and stamina required for an offensive fullback are imperatively high; counter attacks need to be appropriately dealt with if you are going to dedicate time in the opposition's area, the presence of a 'wall' needs to remain. This player has relapsed entirely. He cannot afford to sacrifice time up the field, our right flank was ghostly on more than half of Everton's responses. Physically, he seems inept, tired and burnt out.

5) The strain this provides for team as a whole. Ivanovic's weaknesses mean that the rest of the players have to compensate in some way. For players such as Pedro and Zouma, the work load is increased to unnecessary levels and the focus on the fluency in attack is diverted. It is harder to respond to a goal in an away game when you are away that the right flank is so soft and vulnerable, no matter where you are on the pitch. There is no such 'balance of the books', as his offensive avenues are so limited and dissatisfactory.

Also, did anyone notice around the 70 minute mark - the best opportunity we had to equalise? Where Branislav had the ball on the break, a clear pass for Hazard to finish on his preferred right side was available, but he chose to supply Diego who was awkwardly positioned instead? That decision was entirely amateur.

[Azpinator 2,325]

This is so tragic, I almost don't want to watch Chelsea again just so I don't see him. He used to be one of my top favourites. *sigh*

I hate to say it, but we should have sold him to Real Madrid or PSG when we had the opportunity.

[Billy. 2,742]

Gonna go down as a Chelsea legend when he retires! Hope for many more years of top notch performances from him.

he will never be a legend, only be known as a Chelsea great.

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

he will never be a legend, only be known as a Chelsea great.

If he keeps his level of performance as high as it is now he's going to end up not only a Chelsea legend, but a football legend as well. The Pelé of the full backs.