Chelsea carried on their winning run in the FA Cup as well, beating Brentford 4-0 to progress to the 5th round. While teams like Liverpool fell to a shock defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Blues made sure they don’t let their momentum slip. And the match against Liverpool now potentially makes it a make or break for the Reds, as far as their title aspirations are concerned.
Amidst this joyous time for Chelsea, however, reports of their long-serving Serbian, Branislav Ivanovic’s future at the club has been put into doubts with Antonio Conte giving no assurances of his stay. Ivanovic’s downfall, so to say, begun in Chelsea’s horrendous title defence last year as he was repeatedly hauled up for his appalling displays. And being noticed in a team of 11 underperforming players is not the best advert of your abilities. His pace was a cause of concern and he was given the runaround in multiple matches.
And with Conte preferring Moses in the wingback role and actively searching for replacements, his stay is definitely coming to an end.
Let us take a look at 3 potential destinations for the right-back
LEICESTER CITY
The Foxes have struggled big time in their quest to defend the title and are now looking to first steer clear of the relegation zone. The pair of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth have failed to replicate their solidity of last season and after Luis Hernandez’s departure to Malaga, they are woefully short at the back. Ivanovic will bring loads of experience and his versatile nature will be helpful in shoring up the central defence as well. With Chelsea not in the Champions League, he can play for Leicester which will be a shot in the arm for them.
STOKE CITY
The Potters have been susceptible at the back and Shawcross and Martins Indi have been impressive in bursts. The consistency is missing and with Johnson, not reassuring fitness wise, the Serbian will be a good option for them. They will have no issues with finances and can afford his wages, which will obviously take a cut when he moves from Stamford Bridge.
ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG
The Serbian has been strongly linked with a move to the Russian club and it is likely that he will be allowed to move if an acceptable offer comes in from them. Ivanovic has been at Stamford Bridge for nine years. He has won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League and scored the winning goal in a Europa League final and while from a footballing perspective he might not be missed, his absence will have significance.
