Branislav Ivanovic’s cameo performance against Brentford at the weekend was a perfect reminder of what the Serbian has provided Chelsea with over the years. A run from deep to score, and winning the penalty for the fourth goal after moving into an advanced position in the box, were somewhat trademarks of the Serbian’s time at Stamford Bridge.
It looks likely to be his swansong with rumours that he is poised to join Zenit St Petersburg before the end of the transfer window after Antonio Conte confirmed his likely departure this month. The defender joined Chelsea from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008, and had previously played various positions in the backline while in Russia.
At Chelsea though he would make the right back role his own, winning two league titles, one Champions League, three FA Cups and one League Cup. Not bad for someone who only cost £9.7m.
You couldn’t say that Ivanovic had all the traditional attributes of a modern day full back. Firstly he is very strong in the air, but yet he had enough pace to get forward up and down the flanks, on occasion making lung bursting overlaps for midfielders and providing some excellent balls into the box.
With 34 goals and 34 assists, he scored or created a goal once every five games (he has 377 appearances in all for the club). He has scored some important goals for the club over the years, and some equally important tackles and interceptions. His all-round contributions to Chelsea’s game then should never be underestimated.
Of course his substantial drop in form over the last two years will colour some of the memories fans have the player, but they shouldn’t distract from the nine years of service that the player has given the football club. Ivanovic has devoted the best years of his career to the Blues and that will certainly not be forgotten.
His fall from grace this season, from starting full back to squad player has been a necessity though. The back three that manager Antonio Conte has employed of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill has been almost flawless in its defensive solidity. There was no room for a player of Ivanovic’s years playing as a wing back where boundless energy is required to marshal the entire length of the pitch on the right hand side.
It could be argued that the Serbian could have made a case for being included more as one of three centre backs but the return of Nathan Ake on loan from Bournemouth showed pretty clearly Antonio Conte’s intentions. Players like Ake and Kurt Zouma are the future of the football club, and they deserve the game time to develop their games further, especially under a coach like Conte who can offer so much wisdom to them.
Sometimes it is just time to move on, and that looks to be the way of things for Ivanovic. At 32, he will no doubt gravitate towards playing more as a centre back for his next club, just like he does at international level for Serbia for whom he is still captain. With the moments he has provided, and the trophies he has won, the defender deserves to be remembered for the many good things he did in a Blues shirt. If it is indeed good bye Branislav then Blues fans will be saying in unison thanks for the memories.
