Chelsea FC summer homework: Defenders
By George Perry
Branislav Ivanovic: Shift to center-back – Drew Hooper
Branislav Ivanovic has been a wonderful member of the Chelsea defense since his arrival in 2008. On the heels of a stellar 2014/15 Premier League winning season the Serbian right-back hit a wall. Throughout 2015/16 he was frequently a step behind, leading to blunder after blunder.
Going into the new season, Ivanovic should aim to convince Antonio Conte that he should be the center-back option in the Italian’s 3-5-2 formation. After John Terry went down near the end of the season, Ivanovic strung together a good run of form filling in as captain and calming the defense.
Moving from the flank to the center makes sense for a 32 year-old with a center-back’s temperament and diminishing pace. By making his camp in the center of the pitch, he will have coverage along the flanks by outside defenders and midfielders who can handle speedy onrushing offenses.
Showing Conte that he is an option in the center is not only better for a team that is struggling – incomprehensibly – in the transfer market, but it may very well extend Branislav Ivanovic’s career. Defenders on the flanks who lose the pace they once thrived on tend to disappear rather quickly (remember Ashley Cole?), making this a crucial move for the defender.
Shifting to the center also will return Cesar Azpilicueta to the right side of the field. Azpilicueta has been quality on the left-side, adapting to the challenge put before him and capitalizing on it. This upcoming season is the ideal time for both Ivanovic and Azpilicueta to return to their natural positions.
Next: John Terry: Finish Coaching Badges