Chelsea: Branislav Ivanovic is back in the PL, for better or for worse

Chelsea legend Branislav Ivanovic is back in the Premier League and admittedly, it may be a bit hard to watch this season.

The world has thrown us for a loop more times than we can count over the past nine months. At this point, few things this calendar year surprise us after we’ve been jerked around by the powers that be in just about every imaginable aspect of life. However, this news is a real doozie. If you were to tell me that I’d be writing a story about Chelsea legend Branislav Ivanovic’s return to the English Premier League in the year 2020, I would have never believed you, but here we are. 2020, you’ve done it again.

Ivanovic makes his English top flight return after spending three-and-a-half years in the Russian Premier League with Zenit Saint Petersburg. The 36-year-old is set to join newly promoted West Bromwich Albion, a move Baggies manager Slaven Bilic hinted at on Friday. The transfer will result in a bag of mixed feelings for Blues fans.

On one hand, Chelsea fans are thrilled Ivanovic is back in the Premier League. The club legend spent nine years at Stamford Bridge, winning every trophy there is to win in the process. Despite winning the Premier League three times, the FA Cup three times, the League Cup and the Champions League, that goal versus Benfica to win the Europa League will always be the defining moment of his time in west London.

After seeing how he looked in the months leading up to his transfer, Blues fans have legitimate concerns about his longevity nowadays. Ultimately, joining West Brom could tarnish the way in which modern football fans view his legacy. The Chelsea great will forever be a hero to supporters of the club, but seeing a superstar’s name dragged through the mud towards the end of his career is never easy. Of course, this all hinges on his performance at the Hawthornes.

It’s going to be difficult seeing Ivanovic wearing different colors in England—especially with how dreadful the Baggies’ kits are this season. However, there’s no denying it looks like a good move for West Brom. A newly promoted side bringing in a Premier League legend who was still dominating a European top flight league at the age of 36; Bilic has a reason to be jumping for joy.

While his age may scare some off, the Serbian international brings one thing to the club: experience. He recently captained Zenit to a 2019/20 double, consisting of the league title and the Russian Cup. In addition, he won the 2018/19 Russian Premier League title, playing 28 matches in the process. Ivanovic is exactly the type of player West Brom needs. The Baggies won’t be challenging for any trophies, but regardless of his on-field performance, he brings a winning mentality and maturity into the dressing room.

Is a 36-year-old Ivanovic realistically going to elevate West Brom out of the relegation zone? No. The harsh reality is that the Baggies are going to be fighting for their lives all season, but he could keep their heads above water and drag the race for demotion into the final weeks. We’ve all heard about the off-field presence he has, but the Serb brings a lot to the table on the pitch. He can line up as either a centerback or right back; that flexibility on a free transfer—added to the experience he possesses—will be an invaluable addition to the yo-yo club.

No matter how the season progresses from here on out, it’s going to be wonderful seeing a familiar face back in the Premier League. The Baggies come to Stamford Bridge on April 3, 2021 and for the sake of everybody involved, pray the stands are at full capacity. Ivanovic’s return to west London will be a well deserved tribute to a man who helped turned dreams into reality for almost a decade. He has earned a proper salute, let’s hope he can get one.