Crystal Palace and West Ham Favorites to sign out of favor Chelsea star
Nov 1, 2016 at 6:23 PM
Antonio Conte’s debut season in the Premier League has to be deemed decent as they stand in the 4th place, 10 games into the campaign.
The manager spent big bucks in trying to improve all areas on the field for the Blues but it is evident that the manager is not really happy with the options at his disposal this season. This has seen Conte scout for a number of top transfer targets for a move in January.
That will also mean that a few of the players from the squad might be moving out in January and one such player who is extensively linked with an exit is Branislav Ivanovic.
The 31-year old Serbian full-back has been at the club for a long time now and has had some decent seasons on the flank over the years. He did a splendid job last season covering as a center back for the injuries in the squad helping Chelsea revive from a mediocre start to the campaign.
He also started most games under Conte at the start of the season but the frailties that were exposed in the games against Arsenal and Liverpool saw Conte change his system leaving no place for the Serbian.
David Luiz and Gary Cahill look better players at the back as a part of the 3-man defense while Cesar Azpilicueta has been their most consistent defender for a long time now. John Terry and Kurt Zouma are also fit leaving Ivanovic with no chance to play as a center back anymore.
On the flank, Victor Moses has done a superb job as a wing back while Marcos Alonso has cemented his place on the other wing. Ivanovic, at his age, is not best suited for this system and has no real place in the squad at the Stamford Bridge.
He has not made the bench also in the last few games and with his contract ending at the at the end of the season, it is clear that he will be sold for a small price in January.
His experience in the Premier League has seen the like of Crystal Palace and West Ham linked with a move for him in January while Inter Milan and Marseille add up interests from Europe.
He has also been reportedly offered a place in the Jiangsu Suning side in China and it is now up to the player to decide where he wants to play after the turn of the year.
It is clear that the Serbian has not place left in the squad and with Conte also planning to spend again in January, it is best for both parties that the 31-year old leaves the club in January.
Do you think Chelsea should keep Ivanovic as cover till the end of the season?