Ivanovic Tipped To Be A Premiership Star

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New Chelsea signing Branislav Ivanovic is more than impressed with what he has seen at Stamford Bridge and is hoping he can repeat the impact on the Premier League made by compatriot Nemanja Vidic.

The 23-year-old signed for Chelsea last week from Lokomotiv Moscow in a deal worth just under £10million.

"My first impressions are fascinating," Ivanovic told Serbian TV B92

"I haven't seen much but everything until now is just phenomenal."

Vidic has made a huge impression at Manchester United, since he moved from Russian football, and Ivanovic is hoping to take something from his experiences.

"I haven't spoken to Nemanja Vidic in recent days, but he managed to explain to me several things from before," he said.

"He warned me that I am facing a very difficult start, but as time goes by, it should become more easy.

"I have a period of adaptation in front of me that I must pass as quick as possible."

Ivanovic's first hurdle is to get up to match fitness as the Russian season finished in November.

"I haven't trained with a team for a month, but I have worked regularly by myself. That's why I am not in full shape, so I would need to wait some time."

Source: Sky Sports

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New signing Branislav Ivanovic completed his first training session at Cobham today since signing from Lokomotiv Moscow last week.

The defender, 23, took part in a full session alongside his new team-mates, including Avram Grant's other January capture Nicolas Anelka as they prepare for the trip to Everton in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening.

Ivanovic joined up with the squad following a break at the end of the Russian season which finished in November.

'I've been training individually and I am hoping to get into peak condition as quickly as possible,' he said after his signing. 'Of course I am not at my possible peak but with training, it will come.'

Today marked the first step in that process and Ivanovic will now be aiming to gain a place in the side during the second half of the season.

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I'm really excited about him, he looks really good in the youtube video's. He reminds me a little of John Terry.