The Daily Mail are reporting today that Jose Mourinho has arranged for his scouts to search for suitable replacements for Branislav Ivanovic.
The Serbian right back has been a crucial part of Chelsea’s side in recent seasons and has consistently put in top class displays for most of that time. However in parts of last season and so far this season his performances have been below the standard expected.
In yesterdays game Baba Rahman replaced him meaning Cesar Azpilicueta moved to right back with Rahman at left back. Jose Mourinho is now unsure whether he sees Ivanovic as a regular in his side for the long term.
Ivanovic’s contract with Chelsea runs out at the end of the season and there are currently no signs that Chelsea will offer him an extension. His place in the starting 11 for our London derby with Arsenal on Saturday is another thing which is currently unclear for the Serbian.
We unfortunately lack depth in the right back position, our only natural right back in our side apart from Ivanovic is an inexperienced Ola Aina and Azpilicueta and he is our first choice left back at the moment. If Baba Rahman builds on his fairly impressive performance last night though, this could see him nail down the left back position with Azpilicueta reverting to right back.
Mourinho was disappointed at the fact we failed to capture John Stones from Everton as he would of been able to provide cover in that position. In his early days of his career this was a position he used to play in. This therefore means the search for more cover at the full back position on the right will continue into January.