Chelsea fire sale: Antonio Conte right to sell these five in January?

2. Branislav Ivanovic

Antonio Conte may have thought he had an experienced hand to rely on in Branislav Ivanovic when he arrived at Chelsea. Ivanovic has spent eight seasons at Stamford Bridge and has been a mainstay at the club during those years.

The Serbian defender developed into a fan favorite, but it’s the end of the road now. Ivanovic was never particularly quick, but now he makes a training cone look like Usain Bolt. Ivanovic looks like he knows it’s over too. That’s the worst thing.

When a player knows he’s past it, but he’s still out there, it creates doubt and hesitation. Ivanovic is really struggling. It happens to every player eventually, and the time has come for the 32-year-old to move on.

Firstly, though, Conte needs to get Ivanovic out of the team. Why is he still putting him out there? Cesar Azpilicueta can switch over to right back and Marcos Alonso can come in at left back. Ivanovic doesn’t need to play.

Going off recent performances, he can’t play anymore anyway. Chelsea need to move on in a new direction and quick. However, whether Ivanovic needs rolling out the club head first come January is another thing.

What are you going to do? Rush out an buy an over-priced right back? The defender deserves a dignified exit next summer and can provide backup in a few positions until then. Just don’t start him unless you have to.