Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are still at the top of the Premier League table, 5 points off Liverpool in the 2nd place. The manager will know that his team will have to keep up the good work to keep their place at the top safe and will try to keep complacency away from their game.
However, the manager will also look to add a few players to his squad in January to try and keep the squad fresh and strong. This might see him let a few players leave the club this month.
One such player who could be out of the club come deadline day this month is veteran defender Branislav Ivanovic.
The Serbian international has been superb for Chelsea for more than a couple of years now, playing as a full-back but he was exceptional at the heart of the Chelsea defense in the last season.
However, Conte has not been impressed by his worth ethics and does not have him in his plans for the rest of the season. So the manager is now ready to offload the 32-year for potential suitors this transfer window.
The Serbian is an experienced international who still has some game left in him and clubs from Europe are expressing interest for his signature.
According to reports from Calcio Mercato, Italia outfit Juventus are interested in his signature, but they are reportedly happy to wait until the end of the season.
Ivanovic is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea and Juventus are looking to lure him to Turin at the end of the season on a free transfer.
The Italian outfit might lose Stefan Lichtsteiner at the end of the season while Patrice Evra is also looking to make a move away from the club leaving Juventus a bit short in the full-back department.
Manchester City’s Gael Clichy, who is also a free agent at the end of the season, is also understood to be an option for Juventus but they are reportedly interested in Ivanovic for a move in the summer.
Having played for more than 8 years at the Stamford Bridge, Ivanovic, has helped the side through thick and thin and is expected to be held with the highest regard by the supporters.
But with no chance of regular game time in London, Ivanovic, is well advised to make a move to Italy, especially with Conte also plotting a move for Swiss international Ricardo Rodriguez.
Do you think Branislav Ivanovic should leave Chelsea at the end of the season?