Ivanovic finally settled at the Bridge
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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.”
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hiddick is a monster! -
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