Chelsea’s two-goal hero against Liverpool Branislav
Ivanovic has revealed he is settled in West London for the first
time since his move to Stamford Bridge.
Ivanovic’s two goals have given The Blues every chance of making
the semi-finals of the Champions League, but he has found it
difficult to hold down a first-team place since signing for Chelsea
back in January 2008 from Lokomotiv Moscow.
But the Serbia international’s patience has been rewarded, and
he is now aiming to be given the chance to partner John Terry in
the centre of defence on a more regular basis now he used to living
in London.
He told the Daily Mail: “I am settled in English football now
and it always helps to be playing. It has taken a long time to
establish myself.
“I will play better wherever the manager tells me, but I’m
better in the centre of defence.”
Ivanovic has seen three managers at the helm at Chelsea after
being signed by Avram Grant and given his debut by Luis Felipe
Scolari, but feels Guus Hiddink has shaken things up at the Bridge
with his side still eying a slim chance of Premier League glory, as
well as the Champions League.
“There’s been a definite change under the new manager, and that
has helped me feel a lot more comfortable being a Chelsea player,”
added Ivanovic.
“The new coach has lots of different ideas. I don’t mind where I
play, as long as I can make a contribution".
Ivanovic also revealed that his two headers against Liverpool
were part of a tactical ploy by Hiddink with many sides not knowing
about the 6’ 2’’ defender’s ability in the air.
Terry was used as the decoy, and with Liverpool’s zonal marking
focusing on the England captain, Ivanovic was free to twice head
home for his first goals for the club.
He said: “It is our Chelsea secret and I don’t want to say too
much about it because other teams will be able to work on a way to
stop it. It is something we work on in training.
“We all have different jobs and different positions to take up,
as instructed by the manager. Of course it doesn’t always work, but
sometimes teams are caught out.”
