According to the Telegraph, Antonio Conte’s former club Juventus are keeping a tab on Branislav Ivanovic. The Serbian international is one of the longest serving players in the squad yet has not started a match for the Blues since the manager deployed a 3-4-3 formation. The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and judging from the current situation, chances of extension is pretty slender.
To everyone’s surprise, out of the blue Victor Moses picked up the wingback role against Hull City on the 1st of October and since then has enjoyed a meteoric rise in form. Recently, he bagged the PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month award for November. With pace and trickery up his sleeves, Moses has a penchant for venturing forward at any given opportunity yet does drop back to form a 5-man defensive line when required, alongside Marcos Alonso on the left. In effect, Chelsea have only conceded a two goals in the last 8 matches.
However, being a deputy on the bench for the Nigerian is certainly not up Ivanovic’s alley. Another position that he could fit in is the right side of the three-man backline yet Cesar Azpilicueta has made it his.
Juventus on the other hand, are leading the league but have been hit with series of injuries, especially at the back. In last weekend’s defeat to Genoa, Brazilian defender Dani Alves picked up leg fracture and Leonardo Bonucci, who was under the radar of Conte in the previous transfer window is out for 2 months with a hamstring injury. Besides that, Medhi Benatia will be teaming up with Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Similar to Dani Alves, the Serbian has immense experience and achievements under his belt and most importantly knows the role of the right-back inside out. While heading over to Juventus is no step down as Ivanovic could be playing in the Champions League once again.
Conte might have a soft spot on his former club yet would not want to sanction a sale midway through the season as squad depth is a lethal weapon in the Premier League title race. If Moses picks up any injury and goes through a dip in form, the Serbian captain would easily walk back into the team. However, Chelsea are constantly being linked with a number of defenders of late, thus if a replacement is found, doors will be opened for Ivanovic. Youngster Ola Aina is available yet without the 32-year-old, a big void of experience needs to be filled.
Ivanovic is free to speak to foreign teams in January. If he decides to leave, it would be an emotional goodbye rather than an escape for an opportunity. The Serbian has accomplished everything there was to accomplish at Stamford Bridge – 8 major honours which include 3 league titles, 3 FA Cups, a UEFA Champions League and a UEFA Europa League, where Ivanovic headed the winner in the final minute of stoppage time against Benfica.
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