Conte Remains Mute On Branislav Ivanovic Future

 

Antonio Conte says he does not know if Branislav Ivanovic was playing for Chelsea for the final time in Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Brentford. Ivanovic scored his 34th Chelsea goal on his 377th appearance, amid suggestions his nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge could come to an end before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

The Serbia right-back, 33 next month and out of contract at the end of the season, has not made a Premier League start since September.

He said “When one player has the habit to play every game and it happens that you are not playing regularly, it's not easy to accept this decision, Ivan knows well the situation and I'm pleased if he remains here, if he stays with us. But in this situation, for sure, the player must make the best decision for him, for his family. Ivan deserves great respect I think we have to respect every decision. I don't like to speak about my relationship with my players. I prefer to keep my conversations not secret, but private.”