After Filipe Luis signed for Chelsea this season, many thought that Cesar Azpilicueta would move to his favoured position at right-back and that Branislav Ivanovic would revert to a centre back role. However, the Serbian has proved that he remains the Blues best option on the right flank.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have been winning praise for their performances, but it's Ivanovic who, statistically, at least is doing some of the best work at Chelsea.
The Serbian is relishing his role at the club after not participating in the World Cup over the summer and has two goals to his name already, after only managing three all of last season. Only Diego Costa, Steven Naismith and Nathan Dyer have scored more in the Premier League. The small sample size of statistics may belie Ivanovic's form, but he has averaged 2.7 shots per game with only Andre Schürrle (5.5) and Costa (3) doing better at Chelsea. He has also completed 1.3 successful dribbles per game, leading to many people believing that he's a full-back, midfielder and winger all rolled into one.
Beyond this, he has shown great vision with 2.3 accurate long balls per game and he hasn't shunned his defensive responsibilities, with Chelsea's highest interceptions per game (2.3) and two tackles per game.
It appears as though Ivanovic has no significant weaknesses and that he may end up a key player at our club this season, in a quest for domestic and European glory.
