If you are asked to name some of the complete defenders in the league in recent seasons, Branislav Ivanovic is one that could make the list. However, age is an inevitable limiter in the life of an athlete and even the best players in the world face a drop in performance levels as they grow old. Ivanovic is no exception. Described as a competitive animal by Mourinho, he seems like a shadow of the player he once was.
The Serb is in the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and it seems unlikely that both parties will want to extend the deal. The 32-year-old clearly is not a first-choice under Antonio Conte and for playing regular football, he needs to leave the Blues, for whom he gave his everything for such a long time after joining them in 2008.
The Mirror claims that Crystal Palace are willing to offer the Serb an opportunity to stay in the Premier League as well as in London. From both Ivanovic’s and Crystal Palace’s point of view, this would be an excellent deal.
Ivanovic is a versatile defender who can slot in either at the heart of the defence or at right-back. Throughout his trophy-laden career for Chelsea, he has played in both roles. Crystal Palace have only three central defenders in skipper Scott Dann, James Tomkins and Damien Delaney. Delaney is 35 now and is in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park and it is unlikely that Pardew will offer him an extension. So, Ivanovic could be the direct replacement for the Irishman.
Crystal Palace are short of options in the full-back positions as well. They have two right-backs in Joel Ward and Martin Kelly and have two left-backs in Pape Souare and Zeki Fryers. Souare, after an unfortunate car crash earlier this season, will be out for a long time and Fryers is seemingly not good enough for the Premier League. Therefore, Kelly is playing left-back but has struggled to impress there on a consistent basis.
If Crystal Palace can lure Ivanovic to join the south London club, we might see Joel Ward switching to left-back where he is well capable of playing. Still only 32, Ivanovic can still be a huge success for a club like Crystal Palace with the experience he possesses at the top level.
We have seen Crystal Palace showing a real sense of intent with signings like Yohan Cabaye, Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke in the last few transfer windows but they still miss a real leader and Ivanovic has everything they seek in that leader.
369 games for Chelsea, 62 games for Lokomotiv Moscow and 90 caps for Serbia whom he serves now as the captain, the Serb will be a huge signing both on and off the pitch for the Eagles. Now aged 32, he still has 2-3 years left at the top level and if used well, he can act as the catalyst for Crystal Palace for their move to the next step.
