Branislav Ivanovic is unlikely to be offered a new contract before next summer according to the Daily Mirror, as he comes to the end of his tenure at Stamford Bridge. He’s been a loyal servant to the club over the six years he’s been in West London, but his contract expires next summer, and with Cesar Azpilicueta surpassing him, it could be time for him to move on.
Already this season, Ivanovic has looked exposed against players like Raheem Sterling, who exploit his lack of pace, which has contributed to Chelsea’s poor start to the season.
Azpilicueta has been filling in at left-back, but after the summer signing of Abdul Baba Rahman, Ivanovic may be pushed out of the team as the Spanish international moves to the right-hand side of defence.
Baba Rahman and Azpilicueta are likely to be the full-back choices at Stamford Bridge for years to come, leaving little place for Ivanovic unless he’s willing to play a bit-part role. Still only 31, he’s unlikely to want to do that, and should leave next year.
The Mirror say that clubs in Major League Soccer (including the Manchester City-owned New York City) are keen on bringing the Serbian defender in, and he’s able to negotiate with them from January.
