along with his goalscoring exploits, he is also a magnificent out-ball for chelsea time and time again. id say that over 50% of goalkicks are aimed towards him, for example. and he wins most of them, putting us in possession inside the opponents half straight from a goalkick. hugely valuable for relieving pressure!

Warrior

 

Edited February 8, 201511 yr by BelgradeCFC

Brendan Rodgers uses the word character a lot............well, he needs to look at Ivanovic, then he will see real character in football.

 

Ivanovic makes mistakes at RB and it does worry me, but i don't think you can leave out a player like him. He's a winner, he doesn't shy away from responsibility. All teams need players like this, Arsenal are desperate for them

Brendan Rodgers uses the word character a lot............well, he needs to look at Ivanovic, then he will see real character in football.

Ivanovic makes mistakes at RB and it does worry me, but i don't think you can leave out a player like him. He's a winner, he doesn't shy away from responsibility. All teams need players like this, Arsenal are desperate for them

THIS

José Mourinho paused to contemplate how he could describe Branislav Ivanovic in one word, before settling on six to do justice to the player whom he believes will go down as one of Chelsea’s best signings. “A competitive animal, a big heart,” the Chelsea manager said.

 

Ivanovic is a warrior, as hard as nails and a bit of a throwback. In the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool, the Serb played on with what John Terry described as a “hole in his foot and a boot full of blood”.

 

Four minutes into extra time Ivanovic headed in the winner and wondered what all the fuss was about when Mourinho suggested his boot should be displayed in Chelsea’s academy to serve as an example to the club’s younger players.

 

That is Ivanovic all over. He is not the sort of footballer who courts the limelight and there are no prizes for guessing who looked most uncomfortable in front of the camera – social media is clearly not the 30-year-old’s thing – when Oscar tweeted a picture of the Chelsea squad posing in the dressing room after winning at Villa Park.

 

Ivanovic had more reason to smile than anyone after his glorious left-foot shot – executed at waist height and drilled into the top corner – gave Mourinho his first victory at Aston Villa at the sixth attempt and, much more significantly, opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

 

“Every striker in the world would be proud to score that magnificent goal,” Mourinho said. “Imagine a right-back, and a right-back whose best foot is not the left one – it’s an amazing goal, especially when he scored that goal and it’s the winning goal.

 

“So I am very happy because he is a great guy. What he is doing for us is unbelievable. The injury he had against Liverpool and played the rest of the game, played against Man City and played again today – he’s a fantastic character.”

 

 

 

 

In a team full of big names and blessed with some wonderful attacking players, Ivanovic is perhaps seldom lauded as he ought to be. “You know how the media are and the way football fans are, but I think what matters more is what we as a club feel for him and what we feel for people like John and [Gary] Cahill and these kind of guys. Without them you can’t do nothing,” Mourinho said. “But a team is exactly this – a team is an artist like [Eden] Hazard, it’s a defender like Branislav. The mix and combination of talent makes a team.”

 

Ivanovic joined Chelsea in January 2008 for £9m from Lokomotiv Moscow. Asked whether the defender, who made his 300th appearance for Chelsea in the 1-1 draw against City the previous weekend, will go down as one of the club’s best pieces of business in the transfer market, Mourinho replied: “I think so. He came just after I left [in 2007] and after that he made a fantastic contribution for this club.”

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/feb/08/aston-villa-chelsea-branislav-ivanovic-premier-league-match-report

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.

Would not say he is playing badly, just not up to his excellent performances of this season, as long as he gives 100% why worry.

Example for every RB.

1) Knows how to score

2) Great head playing

3) Strong

4) Winning tackles

5) Leader + hardworker

 

He has everything, I think a lot of young RB's can learn from him. 

Think he's a lost it a bit defensively but its mainly because he's getting old. One of my favourite Chelsea players. Not happy that he's been diving so much as of late. 

Edited February 10, 201511 yr by Carefree94

I have said it all season so I won't change my stance.  No one call fault his commitment and his blood and glory approach to the game and his commitment to the team and without his efforts and wonderful goals we would be down a few points to say the least and without the Europa trophy stuffed neatly away in the cabinet, however I still believe that defensively he leaves us severely exposed down the right side more often than not, and if you watched the Villa game I lost count how many time Willian was covering for him and not because he was up the field but because he continues to play instinctively towards the penalty spot rather than towards the flank.  Where was he when City scored....on the left hand post hardly the position of where a RWB should be and that is not the first time this season that he has been badly out of position.  In any event we could pick holes in his game all day long, we could be critical of his on field antics at times, but at the end of the day I am glad he is on my side rather than the oppositions.

Superb professional,hard as nails and scorer of very important goals.Not under rated by me,a corner pin of the team.

People also need to realize that attacking fullbacks always have defensive woes, it's in the game.

 

Even the best of attacking fullbacks aren't great consistent defenders, Zabaleta is known as a very good fullback always praised by pundits yet how many mistakes has he made? quite a lot. Tell me an attacking fullback that doesn't make a good amount of mistakes? Because I've even seen Phillip Lahm criticized in the fullback position for not getting back in time.

 

Lets not also forget Ivanovic is a big bloke, he doesn't have the stamina of the likes of Zabaleta yet he will still put in better performances.

 

I think people can be too critical of him, I will admit though he really lost it on the Villa goal, no excuses on that one.

Edited February 10, 201511 yr by Slawth

The mistakes Ivan makes isnt about not getting back on time or being too far up the pitch though. Hes a converted centre half and his errors are about positioning and awareness in defense which is really annoying. Especially when you know Ivan is perfectly capable of being in the right position and make the correct reads, it just seems like sometimes he completely shuts off and just let his autopilot take over.

The mistakes Ivan makes isnt about not getting back on time or being too far up the pitch though. Hes a converted centre half and his errors are about positioning and awareness in defense which is really annoying. Especially when you know Ivan is perfectly capable of being in the right position and make the correct reads, it just seems like sometimes he completely shuts off and just let his autopilot take over.

 

No there has been plenty of people complaining saying where is Ivan? Because on counter attacks he hasn't been there in position like he has been in the past. But that's because he's foreward most of the time now, that's what it means.

 

He has made mistakes yes when in position, but he hasn't been letting the team down massively like some people think he has. The Villa game was definitely one of the worst he's made of the season, he doesn't often fall asleep, one of the worst times he did that was on the Cavani goal 3 years ago in the Champions League away game against Napoli, completely fell asleep on one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe on a set piece.

 

And that was when Ivanovic was known as being a really good defender.

No there has been plenty of people complaining saying where is Ivan? Because on counter attacks he hasn't been there in position like he has been in the past. But that's because he's foreward most of the time now, that's what it means.

 

He has made mistakes yes when in position, but he hasn't been letting the team down massively like some people think he has. The Villa game was definitely one of the worst he's made of the season, he doesn't often fall asleep, one of the worst times he did that was on the Cavani goal 3 years ago in the Champions League away game against Napoli, completely fell asleep on one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe on a set piece.

 

And that was when Ivanovic was known as being a really good defender.

That year under Villas Boas was a terrible year for him in general, as it was for most. He was pretty dire all year. Again, I think those are more about him not being aware of were anyone is and moving in the wrong directions then a direct issue of him being up the field to contribute in attack. Hes usually good for a few a game, occasionally he has more and occasionally he has none. I dont think he has let the team down massively, hes had plenty of poor games defensively this year and has certainly been the main culprit on several conceded goals. He does however more then make up for it with his offensive input and overall play.

Edited February 10, 201511 yr by Xfaxtor

That year under Villas Boas was a terrible year for him in general, as it was for most. He was pretty dire all year. Hes usually good for a few a game, occasionally he has more and occasionally he has none. I dont think he has let the team down massively, hes had plenty of poor games defensively this year and has certainly been the main culprit on several conceded goals. He does however more then make up for it with his offensive input and overall play.

 

He wasn't great under Villas Boas, but he never played under AVB remember, Bosingwa was always ahead of him if not that then Ivan was playing CB. When Di Matteo came in though he definitely wasn't dire, he was quality, in both Barcelona games he was great as was the rest of the team.

 

His best season I think was 2010-2011, Cech won player of the year that year but I think Ivanovic just topped him. Remember how good Luis Nani was then, once he came up to Ivanovic he was never the same, Ivan made him his bitch, Nani completely met his match, couldn't get past him all game at the bridge. He was immense that season, can't remember a thing he did wrong then but a solid defender. However under Jose he changed completely, he is more of an attacker now, something not any of us knew he had in his locker, I can't remember Ivanovic having any skills at all.

 

In fact I remember Ivanovic once trying to do skills, no twice and we lost 2-0 to Swansea, however now it's just a mystery, completely different player. He has made mistakes this season though definitely, he has been the culprit to a lot of goals as that side is our weakest side but what do you expect, of course it's going to be, he goes forward. On the left side we have Azpi who doesn't venture as much. It was like when we had Gallas at left back and Ferreira on the right back in 05. However I think Ivanovic goes even further forward than Paulo did.

Despite his unparalleled crossing ability, Paulo wasn't really the most forward-thinking of full-backs; Ivanovic this season has probably been closer to Dani Alves than Paulo, such has been the gradual transformation of his style of play.

 

Something else worth bearing in mind is the balance both Ivanovic and Azpilicueta have to bring to their own flanks. Ivanovic is behind Willian, who (as has been discussed to death in the Willian thread) is the master of winning the ball in the opposition half and also of tracking back. Ivanovic also has the responsibility to provide width on the right (which the right-footed Azpilicueta is less capable of doing, plus Hazard has more of a tendency to run directly towards goal whenever he can), although this responsibility may be lessened somewhat with the arrival of Cuadrado.

 

Azpilicueta has to cover for Hazard, who has a far greater share of creative and attacking responsibility within the team's gameplan, so it makes sense for him to be more reserved in his style of play. I don't necessarily think that either of them are naturally gung-ho or conservative players, they are just following the manager's instructions which provide the team with the best balance possible.

Despite his unparalleled crossing ability, Paulo wasn't really the most forward-thinking of full-backs; Ivanovic this season has probably been closer to Dani Alves than Paulo, such has been the gradual transformation of his style of play.

 

Something else worth bearing in mind is the balance both Ivanovic and Azpilicueta have to bring to their own flanks. Ivanovic is behind Willian, who (as has been discussed to death in the Willian thread) is the master of winning the ball in the opposition half and also of tracking back. Ivanovic also has the responsibility to provide width on the right (which the right-footed Azpilicueta is less capable of doing, plus Hazard has more of a tendency to run directly towards goal whenever he can), although this responsibility may be lessened somewhat with the arrival of Cuadrado.

 

Azpilicueta has to cover for Hazard, who has a far greater share of creative and attacking responsibility within the team's gameplan, so it makes sense for him to be more reserved in his style of play. I don't necessarily think that either of them are naturally gung-ho or conservative players, they are just following the manager's instructions which provide the team with the best balance possible.

 

When you watch the matches then that becomes evident. When in possession we almost switch to 3 at the back with Ivanovic pushed on.

 

People can talk about his defensive mistakes (something all defenders make) but I don't think there's a player in our team who is so important in every single phase of the game. He provides so much width which allows Willian to cut inside and make magic happen, he's always an out ball to stretch teams, he's the target for almost every goal kick, teams simply don't kick to him (see the Tottenham game for Lloris bottling every kick because he knew he couldn't go to his left) and he still has to work his bollocks off and get back in position.

 

To cap it off he gets goals in important moments as well as helping to create goals against teams we struggle to break down. But he's not perfect....

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2358691-how-branislav-ivanovic-went-from-transfer-dud-to-chelsea-superstar

 

Nice article about Ivan and proving his doubters emphatically wrong!

He is a great player, and ovbiously one of Mourinhos most trusted. But defensivly he has mistakes in him pretty much every match. Lost Okore for Villas goal on saturday, lost Moreno plenty of times against Pool before that etc. Just needs to keep his concentration levels up.

there is no perfect right back. ivanovic an uncompromising player will do for me mistakes and all.

Scored some crucial goals for us. Defensively he's been a bit shaky, but you can't have it both ways. You could have a Paulo in his prime, never get over half way line, but solid as a rock.

He is a great player, and ovbiously one of Mourinhos most trusted. But defensivly he has mistakes in him pretty much every match. Lost Okore for Villas goal on saturday, lost Moreno plenty of times against Pool before that etc. Just needs to keep his concentration levels up.

 

Matic is probably my favourite player but he makes errors. Made one against City in fact for their goal.

 

Azpi makes mistakes too (even though it seems verboten to speak of them) and was torn apart by Navas. All players make mistakes but Ivanovic is a leader and when he made a mistake against Villa, he went and fixed it.

Does anyone know how he injured his foot v Liverpool?

Does anyone know how he injured his foot v Liverpool?

 

Kicked the underside of a Liverpool players boot I think, so probably the opposition player's studs ripped the skin on his foot. 

Thanks.  I thought it was likely to be studs but wasn't sure if it was a foul or accidental - sounds liked the latter then.