It’s been great to see Chelsea fan favourite and cult hero Branislav Ivanovic back playing in the Premier League at this late stage in his career.
The Serbian international is back in England playing for West Brom at the age of 36 in one last swansong.
Chelsea insider reveals all the January and summer transfer information you need to hear – Full story HERE.
He was and always will be totally adored by Chelsea fans who enjoyed his toughness and his spirit on the pitch.
But it wasn’t always like that for Ivanovic. When he arrived at the club in 2008 he has admitted that he was daunted and nervous by the situation and playing at such a big club.
If it wasn’t for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich intervening with a half an hour pep talk explaining that he believed in the defender, then things may have been very different for the multiple trophy winner who went on to become pinnacle of Chelsea’s recent success.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Ivanovic said:
“When I arrived at Chelsea I wasn’t ready to play and I was very disappointing, very nervous.
“In that moment Roman Abramovich pulled me to one side and said, “Listen, I believe in you”.
“We talked for half an hour and after that I had big motivation to work. Then when I started playing regularly, he gave me advice as well. In that period he would sometimes come to our dressing room and we would always have a chat.
“Sometimes people on the outside can read a situation better than you can yourself, and Abramovich was one of the most important people in my career.
“He is not just the owner, but a friend. I hope we will see him back very soon (Abramovich stays largely out of this country due to visa issues) as without him, Chelsea is not the same club.”
