Chelsea Football Club News

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

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Progress pleasing for Ivanovic

06 Feb 2009 - 14:04:39

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Chelsea's Serbia international defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that he did not work hard enough to deserve selection during the early part of his Blues career.

The 24-year-old failed to make a single appearance last season at Stamford Bridge, but has been on the fringes of the starting eleven this term, making 14 appearances for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

Ivanovic told the Evening Standard: "At the beginning of this season I did not play, but after a couple of months I entered the field and showed what I can do, though I understand that this is only the first step.

"I must work much harder as I understand that I can play much better.

"But I am happy there is progress, because if there was none I would have started to think my situation over.

"When I first came to Chelsea I did not even think of staying after training. But then I saw how others behaved, headed by the captain John Terry.

"To have the chance and prove that you have the right for a place in the main team, you must be in your best form in any moment.

"Your fate depends only on you. There is a common rule - the better you train, the better you play and there is no other way."