Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic dismisses claims he will leave Stamford Bridge in January
The long serving Serbian defender is focused on regaining his place in Antonio Conte's starting XI
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CHELSEA defender Branislav Ivanovic has no intention of leaving the club and has vowed to "fight for his place", a source close to the player confirmed.
Reports emerged this week suggesting that Crystal Palace are potentially looking to bring the defender to Selhurst Park in January but the Serbian has rubbished the claims that he would consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.
The source said:"Branislav intends to stay Chelsea and fight for his place in Conte's team. He's missed a couple of games through injury and is returning to full match fitness. He certainly isn't considering leaving the club.
"He plans to have discussions with Chelsea, his agent and management team at the end of the season but nothing will happen until then."
The 32-year-old Serbian, who was made vice-captain last season, signed a new deal with the club in January extending his stay at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2017.
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Ivanovic, who has won eight major trophies with Chelsea since joining from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008, has rejected suggestions he's out of favour at the club under Antonio Conte, instead confirming he has been recovering from a shoulder injury and was therefore unavailable for selection.
Rumours have continued to circulate suggesting the player is also weighing up multi-million pound deals from the Chinese Super League where his former Chelsea team-mate Ramires is currently plying his trade, but Ivanovic, who has made London his home in the last eight years, is not interested, according to the source.
"He isn't interested in entertaining offers from Europe or the Far East and has no intention of uprooting his family."
Having enjoyed a flurry of success with Chelsea, winning every major club honour, including the Champions League and two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one League Cup, as well as heading the winner in the 2013 Europa League final, Ivanovic isn't planning an exit anytime soon.
