Chelsea FC fullback and part-time centerback Branislav Ivanovic is having a fantastic season so far for the Blues. He is featured on the most recent edition of the official Chelsea Football Club magazine and it focuses both on his attacking prowess and defensive fortitude. The Chelsea FC defender is brimming with confidence after a string of fine performances and he is well deserving of the plaudits he is receiving.
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Branislav Ivanovic has been one of the top performers in the Chelsea lineup for years but he has built a special connection with Diego Costa and has even scored two goals in the Premier League. He is a near automatic first choice at rightback but is more than capable of playing in the center of defense because of his strength and physicality.
Branislav Ivanovic on tactics and the art of playing fullback:
"“At the beginning of the season we have had a lot of space to go forward but it is important to keep the balance, because 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.’"
Ivanovic on how well the recent arrivals have been performing:
"“It is really amazing how quickly the new players have adapted. You could see straight from the first day how they work, how well they do their jobs, and that it is normal for them to play this way. That is why they are here and we are all very happy about that. As this group stays together for a long time, we will get better and better – we know each other’s games, we know the movement of each other and this gives us the opportunity to play more easily in games.Sometimes we work on special things in preparation for a game, and this is one thing, but it is another to understand your team-mates, to know how they work and what they like on the pitch. The moment you start to see what they usually do in training, you know they will usually do this in the game. You have to feel that.”"
When Branislav Ivanovic first arrived at Chelsea FC from Lokomotiv Moskow in 2008, few thought he would become the player he is today. He was even going to be shipped out of Stamford Bridge on two separate occasions but circumstances lead to him staying and eventually becoming a staple in the Chelsea lineup. He is a constant force on the right wing and is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Ivanovic has won nearly every trophy with the Blues but his recent play suggests that he is hungry for so much more.
Source: ChelseaFC.com
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