Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly sent his scouts out to find a replacement for the out-of-sorts Branislav Ivanovic according to The Express.
The Serbia international has endured an awful start to the 2015/16 Premier League season leading to many questioning his future with the club, despite the right-back being one of Chelsea’s most reliable players in recent years.
However, after being heavily criticised due to his poor start to the season, Ivanovic was replaced by Cesar Azpilicueta for Chelsea’s opening UEFA Champions League fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
And with Azpilicueta moved to right-back, Mourinho gave a debut to new signing Baba Rahman, the Blues kept their first clean sheet of the season in the 4-0 victory over Maccabi; increasing the speculation surrounding Ivanovic’s future.
The Daily Mail also suggest Ivanovic could be on the way out, with the big Serb facing an anxious wait to find out whether Mourinho will firstly reinstate the right-back for Saturday’s clash with Arsenal, and secondly; whether he’ll be offered a new contract with the club.
Chelsea had reportedly been ready to table a new 12-month contract extension for Ivanovic, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
However after his shaky start to the season, followed by the news that Mourinho has reportedly instructed his scouts to find a replacement for the Serbia international, that new deal may have just been put on hold.
