Generally I think it's because if Azpi is playing right back it means Luis is playing at left back which mean we have natural width in both fullback positions whereas Azpi when he gets forward often cuts in on his favoured right foot. 

 

We could always drop Azpi.

We could always drop Azpi.

 

We could but he's arguably the best fullback in 1 vs 1 defensive situations, very little gets past him and it would be strange to drop him just to allow Luis to play. 

 

It's a strange predicament we have where you have 3 fullbacks all good enough to be starting every game but there it's not a just a case of playing the "natural" right and left back. 

 

At the moment a centre back is our right back and a right back is our left back. 

It was more of a reference to him resembling someone like Cafu or Dani Alves rather than being a generic Latin player.

 

Okay, that doesn't really change the point... I doubt a decent portion of our support understate his contributions solely because... he's not Brazilian with a darker complexion? In fact I'd argue it's the opposite if anything, quite a few seem to have pre-conceived ideas that flair-type players can't handle the physicality of the league or are otherwise found wanting in work ethic, etc. (which we know is not the case).

 

 

How does Azpi give us more width than Ivanovic? Does he stand one inch closer to the touchline than Iva?

 

That's not what I said at all, I think you know what I was trying to get at - as FC explained Azpilicueta and Luis means that we have full backs playing on their preferred side (instead of Azpi on the left), hence natural width on both the left and right flanks. Of course you can leave Azpilicueta out but I wouldn't as he's our best defensive full-back IMO.

Okay, that doesn't really change the point... I doubt a decent portion of our support understate his contributions solely because... he's not Brazilian with a darker complexion? In fact I'd argue it's the opposite if anything, quite a few seem to have pre-conceived ideas that flair-type players can't handle the physicality of the league or are otherwise found wanting in work ethic, etc. (which we know is not the case).

 

 

 

Righteo.

 

 

That's not what I said at all, I think you know what I was trying to get at - as FC explained Azpilicueta and Luis means that we have full backs playing on their preferred side (instead of Azpi on the left), hence natural width on both the left and right flanks. Of course you can leave Azpilicueta out but I wouldn't as he's our best defensive full-back IMO.

 

What you said was that they gave us the most width. 

 

See   the Azpilicueta and Luis combination gives the most width.

 

Ivanovic is actually vital to a lot of what we do, so I don't think he deserves to be dropped. 

Righteo.

 

 

 

What you said was that they gave us the most width. 

 

See   the Azpilicueta and Luis combination gives the most width.

 

Ivanovic is actually vital to a lot of what we do, so I don't think he deserves to be dropped. 

So you agree?

 

 

Okay I'll hold up my hand, it was very poorly worded. You suggested that I said that Azpi himself gives us more width than Ivanovic, which I didn't, as you quoted there. Again, poor choice of words on my part, I should have said that a combination of Luis and one of the other two enables us to have maximum width, obviously mainly because he's a lefty - only mentioned Azpilicueta instead since if we're going for more width, and presumably a more attack-oriented game, it's good to have your most solid (defensively) full back in to compensate. I do agree that on current form Ivanovic should be a starter regardless.

Edited December 16, 201411 yr by Teritus

I agree in terms of consistency Ivanovic has been one of the most consistent players for a while now not just for Chelsea but in the league. If someone was to ask how many 'bad' games he has had I would only be able to think of Swansea in the capital one cup which speaks volumes of the performances Ivanovic puts in.

I myself sometimes question why Azpi isn't RB and Luis LB but the fact is the back 4 or 5 including Courtois are very solid and don't concede many. So would Azpi at RB change the overall sturdiness of the defence in comparison to Ivanovic at RB.

There was a period, I think it was at the start of last season, where he was absolutely awful for about 5/6 games in a row but scored in each one so people hardly mentioned it. That's just the main one I remember at this moment, there could be more. 

 

I don't think putting Dave at right back would change anything, in fact I think the right would be more solid and it's why I can't buy into Ivan being the best right back in the league. Don't get me wrong, his recent Dani Alves like performances has been great but overall I don't even think he's the best right back in the squad nevermind the league but that's just my opinion and plenty seem to disagree. The problem is putting Luis at left back makes the defense a bit worse as he's not up the same level as Ivan and Dave defensively. 

Him and Terry have played every minute in EPL so far:

 

Him and Terry have played every minute in EPL so far:

 

Rotation, rotation, rotation!

José said before Christmas - 4 games in 11 days - tha noone would play every game, let alone every minute. He clearly doesn't trust his squad depth. Fatigue has started to show, I think.

Well we can't bench him now since we have Azpi injured.

This is why we love Man Bear so much!

 

Mourinho: "I think Ivanovic's boot should go right to the academy. Should be in the lobby of the academy."

 

Mourinho: "The kids in the academy should walk everyday past Ivanovic's boot. Was completely full of blood."

 

Mourinho: Ivanovic's foot has a big cut with lots of stitches. Now the [white] boot is red, full of blood, should go direct to academy.

Must be knocking pretty hard on the door of the pantheon of legends at this point...

He will have the occasional bad game and the very rare shocker. But for a lot of the time he IS Mr Dependable.

 

Last night wasn't one of his best games, but then he was up against the likes of Sterling & Courtinho who to be fare, are going to cause many defenders problems. Even the best defenders are going to lose out in the battles now and again - that's why there are great attacking players too! But he stuck at it last night, through a nasty looking foot injury and then popped up with the all important goal. That's a fair number of big goals he has scored now, probably as many if not more than JT.

 

We salute you Ivan, no wonder Mourinho is reluctant to ever leave him out.

Not been on here in a while so have only read the last 2 pages back and I am very surprised to see people calling for him to be dropped. I was one of the people at the start of the season calling for azpil to be moved to right back and ivan as cover for the centre backs. How wrong I was. He is up there alongside costa and fab as my player of the season. Contributes massively going back and forward and is the best right back in the league in my opinion. Add to that he gives us another threat at set pieces and you have to question why some on here want him dropped?

Robert Pirès:

 

“For me, Chelsea's best player is Branislav Ivanovic, he's the best defender in the UK and maybe even in Europe.

 

I don't understand why nobody talks about him. It’s strange because I think he’s complete. He’s got everything. He's very strong, he’s got a good jump, he's fast and he's got good technique.

 

For me, he is perfect for a defender. He’s a giant.”

Ivan is a legend

 

Every player sometimes has a shocker him included, but since he broke into the team in 2008 hes been consistent, scoring goals, great defending,

RB or CB position, and remarkably has excelled most of the time at RB these last few seasons

2 goals at Anfield in CL, winning goal in the Europa League final and now again he's put us in a cup final.

Branna's been playing bad lately but he is becoming a Chelsea legend.

2 goals at Anfield in CL, winning goal in the Europa League final and now again he's put us in a cup final.

Branna's been playing bad lately but he is becoming a Chelsea legend.

Only game I can think of is spurs away just like the whole team. He has been excellent this season!

It's weird no one has mentioned it, but two years ago he pretty much kicked us out of the semi final now his goal has made us win the semi final.

 

I think he gets criticized a lot more than he should do, he is a key player to this side, although he hasn't been at his best defensively, it's the price you pay when a player goes forward more.

Drogba-esque in his ability to come up with a goal on the big occassions.

Said before he's one of, if not the best full-backs in Europe. Can't think of many better and actually said to my mate that I thought he might score last night (might've also said Zouma and JT too, but still).

 

Gets way too much stick, vastly under-appreciated yet the guy is a warrior, the ultimate big game player and a winner. 

Rotation, rotation, rotation!

José said before Christmas - 4 games in 11 days - tha noone would play every game, let alone every minute. He clearly doesn't trust his squad depth. Fatigue has started to show, I think.

in fairness, it's not just this squad. Jose doesn't mess about with his back 5 generally, no matter who his back ups are. be interesting to see who is preferred on saturday between zouma and cahill after last nights performance and clean sheet

I hope his not injured as well

Edited January 28, 201511 yr by Chelsea forever1

Ivanovi? will make his 200th Premier League and his 300th Chelsea appearance in all competitions on Saturday against Manchester City.

Edited January 29, 201511 yr by BelgradeCFC

I love Brana - he pops up to score goals when it matters.  He is focussed.  He is no-nonsense.  He was soooo dignified when scumbag bit him.   And he did the hairwashing celebration when he scored against Joe Hart (I don't know if that's what he meant but I believe it). .  And he has the most awesome arse.  He is also scary for opposition sides.  Knock him, and he carries on - I can't remember which game that was but it was classic Brana.

 

And his son scoring from the run from the centre circle is one of my favourite youtube clips.

I love Brana - he pops up to score goals when it matters.  He is focussed.  He is no-nonsense.  He was soooo dignified when scumbag bit him.   And he did the hairwashing celebration when he scored against Joe Hart (I don't know if that's what he meant but I believe it). .  And he has the most awesome arse.  He is also scary for opposition sides.  Knock him, and he carries on - I can't remember which game that was but it was classic Brana.

 

And his son scoring from the run from the centre circle is one of my favourite youtube clips.

 

Here is another one to add to your highlight reel

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gni1q_branislav-ivanovic-goal-against-aston-villa-07-02-2015_sport