Chelsea transfer news: Branislav Ivanovic desperate to win back place in Antonio Conte’s high-flying side despite exit talk
Veteran defender out of contract next summer and has been linked with Barcelona but he's determined to stay put
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC is determined to win back his Chelsea spot and aid their Premier League title charge.
The Blues vice-captain lost his place after September’s 3-0 thumping at Arsenal as Antonio Conte decided to go with three at the back.
Ivanovic, 32, then picked up a minor muscle injury that ruled him out for a fortnight.
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The defender has played just three minutes of club football since the Emirates hammering as Conte’s men stormed up to second in the table with five straight wins.
Yet the Serb, linked with a move to Barcelona this week, insists he is now fully fit and desperate to fight for his spot in the first-team.
Ivanovic, who played against Wales and Ukraine in the international break, said: “Every player in the world would like to play every game but sometimes you don’t have that option.
“But you have to be ready for every challenge and, for myself, I can say I’m ready.
“I was injured and I’ve just got back in the Serbia team. Of course, it’s good to be back on the pitch. I need minutes. It’s very important for me and I hope in the future I’ll be physically ready for the team. I hope Antonio was watching me.”
Hardman Ivanovic helped marshal Serbia’s own 3-4-3 system to gain a valuable World Cup qualifying point in Cardiff last Saturday.
And the tough-tackling defender believes his performances for his country can help him fit straight in for Conte’s men when called upon.
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Ivanovic added: “I think it will help me. When you talk about Serbia, it’s definitely something that has changed our team when we start playing with three at the back — and we’re improving in every game.
“Of course, personally, it helps me because I can have the minutes to be in that shape. I think the shape brings the best out of me, too.”
Chelsea travel to Middlesbrough on Sunday aiming for a sixth win in a row. And Ivanovic, who has won two titles in his eight years with the Blues, reckons they can reclaim the crown.
He said: “We can definitely wrestle back the title. We are in a good way and playing some fantastic football.”