The under-fire defender still has the backing of Chelsea management.
Chelsea FC defender Branislav Ivanovic is reportedly in line for a new Blues contract, despite his poor form this season. The right-back has been woeful on the field so far to the point that many observers are questioning whether he is now past it, but he may be handed another year in West London.
The Express carries the story, citing the words of Ivanovic’s agent, Zoran Krneta.
"“Probably he will renew his deal with Chelsea,” Krneta told InterLive.it. “Rumours about Inter? In football everything is possible. Anyway, the Nerazzurri could be interested to him for the summer market and not the winter one.”"
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Inter Milan have been linked with the defender as rumours regarding his future at Stamford Bridge have heated up. The Serbian has been arguably the poorest Blues player in this campaign, which is saying something given the club’s general performances. With the thought that he has fallen off the cliff, many have stated that his contract will not be renewed.
Furthermore, it would be not unreasonable to think that the player himself would be against staying. The anger directed towards him has ranged on the excessive side and it seems hard to believe that he is enjoying pulling on a blue shirt at the moment.
On the back of his recent injury, Kurt Zouma has been asked to fill in the right-back role on multiple occasions. With the Frenchman being one of the club’s brightest prospects, Ivanovic’s playing time (irrespective of his current form) was most likely on the wane anyway.
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Nonetheless, his agent appears certain that the Serbian is staying and given his loyalty to both the club and Jose Mourinho, this is not an unfathomable scenario.
Chelsea have suffered from a severe lack of leadership on the field and letting go of one of their most experienced players in the summer will not help in that department. The Blues may well keep him on a reduced salary, with greater impetus on a dressing room role over playing week in, week out.
Having lived in London for almost nine years now, the 31-year-old could use the convenience of not uprooting himself and his family as compensation for a potential cut in wages.
Conversely, this could just as easily be talk on behalf of the agent in order to increase the player’s earning prospects. By claiming that a Chelsea renewal is on the table, any club looking to secure his services in the summer will be forced to pay some premium.
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What do you think of this? Does Ivanovic deserve a new contract? Let us know in the comments below!