Absolute beast of a performance and three clean sheets on the bounce now. Consistently amongst our top tacklers and provides so much width going forwards. Up there with Costa as our player of the season so far.

I love him as a player. Yes, he can do some daft things, but he is a top defender who gives his all for the club, and I really think his attacking play is underrated, by our fans and pundits in general. His crossing is substandard, but his support play is excellent, and his running off the ball is tremendous.

How do you post pics on here?

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by bluelion111

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/10/6/6926397/alexis-sanchez-branislav-ivanovic-punch-video

 

Accident ??

Bluelion:

 

It depends if you're linking to pictures on the web or attaching them to your post.

 

To link to a picture, click on More Reply options. Then click on the greenish square just below the smiley, then paste the URL of the picture (To get this you need to right click the picture and then select View Image Info, and copy and paste it).

 

To attach a picture to your post, just click on the Choose files button below the reply box in 'More Reply options', and browse to the picture on your PC.

Edited October 6, 201411 yr by Backbiter

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/10/6/6926397/alexis-sanchez-branislav-ivanovic-punch-video

 

Accident ??

Not seen that til now. I'd say it looks like a clear case of 'We'll do bugger all because it's not a Chelsea player throwing the punch'.

 Thank you Backbiter :) 

In team of the week by whoscored:

 

Henderson ahead of Cesc or Matic when Liverpool struggled to get past one of the worst teams in the league at home.

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/10/6/6926397/alexis-sanchez-branislav-ivanovic-punch-video

Accident ??

If that was indeed 'a punch' he should be mighty embarrassed, Ivan didn't even move or react one bit.

Currently the best RB in the world for me. 

 

His instincts, toughness, crossing, set piece presence, tackling and intensity separate him from anyone else I've seen.

Only one word to make up for this guy: BOMB!

I's always fun to hear about tactics from a professional, especially one who's currently being coached by Jose Mourinho. Fullback is perhaps the key position in overall team cohesion, and Branislav Ivanovic has been the standout there so far as Chelsea are concerned. The Serbian has been excellent in both attack and defence this season, and although this might seem obvious to many, he points out that bombing forward can actually help out the back line:

 

Our first aim always has to be holding the defensive line, to keep the defensive four together.

Sometimes you can show the winger that you want to attack, that you know how to attack, so they have to focus on the defensive side of their game. This can help the team by taking their winger out of position, taking him so far away from your goal that they cannot hurt you.

However, this is another thing that depends on the opponent and the situation of the game, so I’m happy to go forward when I can, but I’m still focused on the defensive things first.

Source: 

ChelseaFC.com

.

 

Football writers can talk as much as they want about tactics, but hearing about them from the real thing is much better than someone pounding at their keyboard from afar. What Ivanovic is talking about here is what's normally described as 'pinning back' the winger, giving them so much to worry about defensive that they're not in a good position to go forward on the counterattack.

Chelsea have used Ivanovic high up the pitch against everyone, but he's especially important to the attack against teams who concede possession to the Blues, which allows him to push up to the edge of their defensive block. Sure, their left winger might want to charge forward, but they also have to track a rampaging Serbian, and their defensive obligations tend to win out.

There are worse people to talk to about fullback tactics!

 

 

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/10/8/6945633/branislav-ivanovic-fullback-tactics

Edited October 8, 201411 yr by BelgradeCFC

Currently the best RB in the world for me. 

 

His instincts, toughness, crossing, set piece presence, tackling and intensity separate him from anyone else I've seen.

 

Logged on to say literally the same thing.

 

He's approaching Ashley Cole levels of form at the moment. Should be celebrated far more in my opinion.

Still the same strengths and weaknesses. Arsenal didn't exploit him and Schurrle and Oscar werr wonderful at plugging gaps.

Ivanovic remains good going forward and great defensively but he is not physically capable of doing both in the same play.

Still the same strengths and weaknesses. Arsenal didn't exploit him and Schurrle and Oscar werr wonderful at plugging gaps.

Ivanovic remains good going forward and great defensively but he is not physically capable of doing both in the same play.

Impossible, really. f**king love Branna. No-nonsense player who commands. He is the exact opponent of typical Arsenal player. Wenger needs to buy this kind of talent instead of those Bambi-type african-french boys.

Has anyone imagined when he played for the first time for us(against Liverpool;1-3 at Anfield) that 6-7 years later he will be the best defender in  attack and one of the weakest in defense? 

Edited October 9, 201411 yr by Pendergast

I thought he was great against Arsenal, much better than he has been lately. He found a better balance between defence and attack.

We are a bit to harsh on him as a player to say he can't defend, that's no the case at all. When you are more attacking you are sacrificing a lot of space left behind, it's only just natural. That's why most attacking fullbacks are really quick, Ivanovic isn't. He is quick but not really quick, he does well considering how large he is, the same was with Micah Richards when he was playing RB a few years ago, he was brilliant going forward because the defenders couldn't push him off the ball but he struggled covering for himself and couldn't get back in time where Zabaleta could.

 

For me he is definitely the most talented RB in the league, and if you tell him to stay back no one will get past him because we all know how much of a good defender he is.

personally I think he's one of the modern day great Chelsea signing, what sort of defender can you buy for £9 million these days? On the rare occasion he gets injured he's never out long either and has been consistent for so long and even has the exceptional game to going forward, and for stocky right back in the premiership that speaks volumes 

He'll always be a Blues legend for me after scoring those two goals against Liverpool at Anfield in the 2008-2009 CL Quarter Final. I believe they were his first goals for the Club too.

Edited October 15, 201411 yr by paraphil

Friends of mine who support other clubs say they would love to have him in their teams and I think it's probably because of the psychological strength he adds to the team.

He'll always be a Blues legend for me after scoring those two goals against Liverpool at Anfield in the 2008-2009 CL Quarter Final. I believe they were his first goals for the Club too.

Second that sentiment. Not sure about being his first goals with the club but too lazy to look it up. I have always liked him and still do. He has been a little bit shabby on his side this year but let's not forget he is out of position as well. I know by now one would expect him to adjust but I think he has been stellar overall with his career at Chelsea. Good clubs with actual strategies (sorry Arsenal) can and will take advantage of him going forward because he does seem to have trouble getting back at times. We just need somebody stronger offensively on his side who will track back and cover. With that said, while he may have struggled this year defensively I place great value on him. No question the squad needs to tighten up defensively but I think as the season continues the players will know their roles and boundaries. Ivananovic is one player I don't expect to leave or be benched. I think he may even be moved inside on the back line with time. Jose has faith in him and he doesn't get it wrong a lot so...

Love Ivanovi?,hard working defender always gives his 110% future Captain material.

Love Ivanovi?,hard working defender always gives his 110% future Captain material.

100% and improved a lot under Mourinho

Potential for him to be teamed up with Matic in DM role?