Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Ivanovic admits to tough start

15 May 2010 - 11:21:44

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Chelsea's Serbia international right-back Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that he endured a tough time in his first few months at Stamford Bridge following his arrival in January 2008.

The 26-year-old has emerged as a first-team regular in the last 12 months and earned a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, having previously looked like a misfit after joining from Lokomotiv Moscow.

He told reporters: "When I arrived it was difficult for a lot of reasons. I had come from the Russian league when there was a break between seasons.

"I was not ready to play. I needed time to be able to get used to the training, the play and everything about the club.

"But after that I picked up an injury and when I returned it was near the end of the season and every game for Chelsea at that stage was important.

"The squad was very strong and they were trying to get to the Champions League final. They were also involved in a very tough title race with Manchester United, like it was this year.

"However, it was the most difficult time in my career. I don't think you can find a player in the world who is happy when they're not playing.

"This is normal, it's a human thing. You think you deserve to play, but a manager's job is to find the players he wants to play.

"Of course I was very angry. Maybe I was thinking about it, but that was two years ago. Things have changed now. It wasn't in just one day, it changed step by step."