Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic reportedly wants to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge rather that join West Ham.
According to ESPN, Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic isn’t ready to leave the club for West Ham United in January, and will fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
Ivanovic, 32, has racked up more than 350 appearances for Chelsea since joining the club from Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008, and has won two Premier League titles during his time with the club.
Liverpool’s Adam Lallana and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic
Once a vital player under Jose Mourinho, Ivanovic has suffered a real decline over the last year, struggling to deal with pace and becoming increasingly indisciplined as a defender.
Whilst he started the season in Antonio Conte’s first team, he has been the player to suffer most from Conte’s switch to a 3-4-2-1 system, as the Serbian defender has played just three minutes since the 3-0 away defeat at Arsenal on the 24th of September.
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in action with Burnley’s Sam Vokes
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Ivanovic’s future at Stamford Bridge is in real doubt, and reports have recently suggested that a Premier League rival could move for Ivanovic.
The Daily Express reported over the weekend that West Ham are keen to land Ivanovic in January – but Slaven Bilic’s men may hit a brick wall in their attempts to sign the veteran defender.
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in action with Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi
ESPN report that Ivanovic isn’t ready to call time on his Chelsea career, and wants to regain his position in Conte’s team in a bid to earn a new contract before next summer.
West Ham have had their problems at right back this season with Sam Byram injured and Alvaro Arbeloa making little impact, and Ivanovic would have provided an experienced option for manager Bilic, but he doesn’t seem to be keen on a move to the London Stadium.
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