Djordje Petrovic names former Chelsea hero Branislav Ivanovic among the best Serbian players
Current Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic recently rated Branislav Ivanovic among the best Serbian players in a post on Chelsea’s Instagram account. Petrovic represents the future of Chelsea, while Ivanovic was a significant part of the club’s past. Ivanovic began his international career in 2005 and continued playing until 2018, marking a long and notable tenure for an international football player.
Ivanovic made 105 appearances for Serbia and scored 13 goals during his time with the national team. Although he couldn’t achieve significant international success with Serbia, he was undeniably one of the best Serbian players and a standout talent for Chelsea.
During his time with the Blues, Ivanovic made 377 appearances, scoring 35 goals and providing 34 assists. As a right-back, he was not only a defensive stalwart but also a creative force, contributing to Chelsea’s attacking play and adding an extra dimension to their offense from the fullback position. His ability to score crucial goals and provide key assists made him one of the finest players in Chelsea’s history.
Ivanovic didn’t receive enough praise for his versatility and ability to seamlessly switch from right-back to center-back, showcasing his adaptability and skill set. Now, it’s Djordje Petrovic’s turn to make his mark at Chelsea and on the international stage.
Petrovic joined the Blues from Major League Soccer club New England Revolution last summer but initially failed to secure the No. 1 spot. However, an injury to Robert Sanchez gave Petrovic the opportunity to claim the position between the sticks, where he demonstrated his goalkeeping credentials. Since then, he became the preferred choice under ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino.
With Pochettino’s exit, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Petrovic under new head coach Enzo Maresca. Petrovic’s performances and potential could see him solidify his role as Chelsea’s main goalkeeper, but much will depend on Maresca’s plans and vision for the team’s structure. If Petrovic continues to perform well, he has the chance to establish himself as a key player for both Chelsea and the Serbian national team, much like Ivanovic did during his illustrious career.
The 24-year-old will now be in action with Serbia in Euro 2024, and they are in Group C, which includes the likes of England, Denmark, and Slovenia; thus, this is a challenging group for Serbia. However, they have enough firepower in the attack, which can win them games, and between the sticks, Petrovic’s shot-stopping traits make him a standout custodian.
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If he is instrumental in helping Serbia go deep into the tournament in Euros, then the Blues will be keen on keeping him for next season, and maybe he will be ahead of Sanchez in the pecking order as well.
