Chelsea FC fullback and resident scapegoat Branislav Ivanovic believes the Blues will bounce back ahead of their clash with Arsenal next weekend. The defender spoke to the club’s official website and claims that Chelsea only needs one win to bounce back.
POPULAR: Chelsea FC In Dire Need Of Inspiration After Everton Loss
Ivanovic said, as quoted by Express, “We need one big win to come back to our way. We are not playing as badly as the results are showing but we have to wake up. I think at the moment we are being punished for all our mistakes. The only way we can change is to work hard and be ready for the next game, so it is like a final and we have to play like a final.”
While it is hard to argue with his logic as the Blues do need one big win to bounce back, he has been one of the main causes for Chelsea’s current collapse. There are several others worthy of blame including Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, and some of Chelsea’s best players from last season but Ivanovic has stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Two of Everton’s three goals against the Blues on Saturday originated from his side of the field and came as a result of his slow reaction to a defender. He waited far too long to challenge the crosser on the first goal and allowed Steven Naismith to get a clear sight of goal for his second.
More from Chelsea FC News
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
- Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
- These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea
This is a story we have seen play out far too many times this season and last as opposing wingers and fullbacks victimized the Serbian defender. He has never been known for his pace but he appears to have lost a full yard or two of pace since the turn of the New Year.
After what seems like six months of poor play, one wonders what has to happen for Ivanovic to lose his place in the team. Last season the Blues had a proven and talented fullback in Filipe Luis who could have been brought in to the team in place of Ivanovic.
Luis has since left to return to Atletico Madrid but the Blues brought in Abdul Rahman Baba in a big-money deal from Augsburg. He is still young and unproven in the Premier League but it is hard to imagine him playing any worse than the Serbian.
At this point even a youngster such as Nathan Ake or Andreas Christensen would be an improvement over Ivanovic. He is consistently being exposed and while it may hurt Jose Mourinho to bench his vice-captain, the time for such a move is here. The burly fullback has achieved so much in a Chelsea shirt and has scored in big moments for the club but that is all in the past.
Perhaps Mourinho could move him inside to centerback alongside John Terry but his lack of pace may even be too much of a liability there as well. There were rumors that Bayern Munich wanted to buy Ivanovic last winter and with the way he is playing the Blues may soon regret not accepting an offer if one was made.
Next: Chelsea FC Marketing Department Fail At Marketing