A legend and as I said in the match thread the way he fought against martial made me proud. His legs have gone and he played 90 all action minutes against Watford two days before then had to do it again against someone much faster and younger.

Such a great servant. Shouldn't be at the club beyond this season imo but he deserves so much better than the abuse he has been receiving on here for a long time now.

 

THe final 20 minutes of yesterdays game, you could see Ivan trying like mad to stay up on Martial.  He was finally getting him to go down the line and not cut inside.  It was pleasurable to see.

 

Of course Ivan is a Chelsea legend.  I think anyone claiming anything else are the same people who claimed Lampard and Cech weren't because they went to other teams.  One poor season (well, maybe one and a half, but that's certainly not something that can solely be laid on Ivan) does not make me forget the rest he has offered.  Final minute goal against Benfica for the Europa Cup being something recent that sticks out in my mind.

I do think this should be his final season. Fantastic player over the years, and is one of the toughest players I've seen play for us.

If he does go, I hope we go all out for the best left back we can get, and play Azpilicueta in his natural side. My choice would be Ricardo rodriguez, who would probably cost a fair bit, but would be such an effective weapon to have in the team.

I'd like to see baba get a run at some stage- he's not looked great defensively but you have to believe that would improve the more he plays and as he settles at the club. he had a big reputation in germany and we've spent a lot on him so you'd have to hope he's got the ability to be a long term first choice.

 

but I think it is a fair point-  at the end of the summer window we should be treating azpilicueta as a rightback who can cover on the left rather than a leftback who can cover on the right.

Instead of getting rid of brana, we could just play him in his natural position of CB.

He'd be a good squad player not starter, we still need players of his ilk in the dressing room. Been there, seen it done it, you can't buy that kind of experience in the dressing room.

Instead of getting rid of brana, we could just play him in his natural position of CB.

If he was willing to accept being a back up cb and emergency Rb I would give him a new 1 year deal.

He has looked a lot better of late, but against United it was back to being ripped apart by the winger. He'll never be dropped though.

Instead of getting rid of brana, we could just play him in his natural position of CB.

CB might be his "natural" position, whatever that means, he was always a much better RB though. Just because hes slow doesnt mean he should play CB. His lack of positioning, popr concentration and marking ability would not be a great combination in an already struggeling central defense.

While I understand everyone being very disappointed in his form this season and it is time to part ways, but let's not forget what a fantastic player he has been for us over the years...one of our best buys and arguably best ever January signing...let's not forget that

If he does go, I hope we go all out for the best left back we can get, and play Azpilicueta in his natural side. My choice would be Ricardo rodriguez, who would probably cost a fair bit, but would be such an effective weapon to have in the team.

Doubt it when we spent over £20 million on a left back in the summer

Wingers and holding midfielders gave him little help against Martial and was too often isolated and left to defend 1 Vs 1 against a player who could obviously out pace him.

Really don't fault his performance too much yesterday.

Essentially that is the problem though.  Yes I agree, teams should all work together supporting each other, but the opposition rarely attack Dave because he's much tougher to beat one on one.  If we have a full back that needs constant support from midfielder it's going to create holes and is a weakness.  

 

 

I do think this should be his final season. Fantastic player over the years, and is one of the toughest players I've seen play for us.

If he does go, I hope we go all out for the best left back we can get, and play Azpilicueta in his natural side. My choice would be Ricardo rodriguez, who would probably cost a fair bit, but would be such an effective weapon to have in the team.

 

Would be worth every penny.

 

While I understand everyone being very disappointed in his form this season and it is time to part ways, but let's not forget what a fantastic player he has been for us over the years...one of our best buys and arguably best ever January signing...let's not forget that

I think every post has alluded to him being a champion.

Doubt it when we spent over £20 million on a left back in the summer

All depends on what happens with baba. It wouldn't that big of a shock if he ended up getting loaned out or sold.

I think many of you know my feelings....he should never have been hung out to dry playing a RWB position in the first place, apart from the odd goal now and then which has papered over the cracks, he has been woeful and not necessarily through any fault of his own. He hasn't got the pace to run up and down the wing, he strolls back, he leaves massive gaps on our right side, he always drifts to the centre when the opposition attacks, (which is his natural position) etc, etc.  He should be playing in the middle and sharing the duties with Terry, Cahill and Zouma end of....

he should never have been hung out to dry playing a RWB position in the first place, apart from the odd goal now and then which has papered over the cracks, he has been woeful and not necessarily through any fault of his own.

Nonsense, he has had many good games for us at right back, not this season, last season he was inconsistent towards the end, but he's been a reliable right back for us for some time.

Nonsense, he has had many good games for us at right back, not this season, last season he was inconsistent towards the end, but he's been a reliable right back for us for some time.

 

Once the backs start losing quickness and pace, they land up being a liability and it is clear that Ivanovic is suffering that right now. If we do not have plans of playing him as a CB then we might as well ship him out. I think he is similar to Cahill in terms of CB quality. 

Nonsense, he has had many good games for us at right back, not this season, last season he was inconsistent towards the end, but he's been a reliable right back for us for some time.

It's subjective isn't it? would you say he's reliable at putting in a good cross? I wouldn't. Furthermore when he tries to play the winger role ,as in taking on his opposite he mucks it up most of the time because he is one dimensional, doesn't have a trick up his sleeve but that doesn't stop him trying. He also gets caught upfield a hell of alot. Like I said subjective.

Nonsense, he has had many good games for us at right back, not this season, last season he was inconsistent towards the end, but he's been a reliable right back for us for some time.

He is consistently inconsistent, and when he is inconsistent he is woeful.  

Once the backs start losing quickness and pace, they land up being a liability and it is clear that Ivanovic is suffering that right now. If we do not have plans of playing him as a CB then we might as well ship him out. I think he is similar to Cahill in terms of CB quality.

  

I don't disagree, he has become a liability this season, he isn't the only one, Matic, Fab, Oscar, Hazard, Costa, the list is endless, Ivan is 31 and past his prime, the others don't have excuses.

It's subjective isn't it? would you say he's reliable at putting in a good cross? I wouldn't. Furthermore when he tries to play the winger role ,as in taking on his opposite he mucks it up most of the time because he is one dimensional, doesn't have a trick up his sleeve but that doesn't stop him trying. He also gets caught upfield a hell of alot. Like I said subjective.

No, he has become unreliable at putting in a good cross, though creating chances hasn't always been a flaw of his. He does also get caught upfield too much, but again my original point was that he hasn't always been inconsistent and the flaws in his game right now haven't always been as prevalent. But of coarse getting out wide and taking on players isn't his strong point and we've never expected it to be. He's been a strong player, good in the air, tough tackler who has had a nice habit of scoring goals and many important ones.

He is consistently inconsistent, and when he is inconsistent he is woeful.

Maybe now, but to say that he has always been inconsistent is wrong. If you look at his statistics, he has been declining for the last couple of seasons, but if you go back to the 2012/13 season he was still very much in his prime and you can argue this if you like, but he was one of the top players in the league. He was not inconsistent and ‘woeful’, winning over half of his duels, not misplacing many passes, creating chances and also scoring, next season was much the same, similar stats, less goals but more chances created. Now he is in decline, last season he made more errors and this season he's carried on making errors and winning less duels, but he has not always been inconsistent.

  

I don't disagree, he has become a liability this season, he isn't the only one, Matic, Fab, Oscar, Hazard, Costa, the list is endless, Ivan is 31 and past his prime, the others don't have excuses.

 

Spot on. He is past his prime and while the others may rediscover their form back, Ivan has no where up to go. He has peaked. The fact that we are still playing him @ RB  even when he lacks form is worrying.

The back four was excellent today. But a special mention for Ivan who dealt with zaha, puntion, and lee, very well for the most part.

he was due a good one, maybe he got a love life for xmas

Imo ivanovic has been solid and consistent since his return

He's still get beaten by players for fun, fortunately yesterday they couldn't cross to save their life. I still believe his defending is still an accident waiting to happen, but it's obvious Hiddink doesn't think Baba is ready either, and as a team we have been defending better. He will hold on his spot until end of the season.

He's still get beaten by players for fun, fortunately yesterday they couldn't cross to save their life. I still believe his defending is still an accident waiting to happen, but it's obvious Hiddink doesn't think Baba is ready either, and as a team we have been defending better. He will hold on his spot until end of the season.

I don't think he was beaten once yesterday.