Slaven Bilic confirms where Branislav Ivanovic will play for West Brom
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic wants Branislav Ivanovic to play as a centre-back.
The Baggies are nearing a deal for the veteran Serbia international, who is a free agent after leaving Zenit St. Petersburg this summer.
Earlier on Friday, Express and Star journalist Joseph Masi had tweeted to state that Albion were in the final stages of an agreement with the ex-Chelsea player, and were in the process of “dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s”.
Bilic then confirmed that his plan is to play the 36-year-old in the heart of defence.
As quoted by the Express and Star, he said: “We all know Ivanovic – his career.
“But I also know Ivanovic from the last couple of years because of my many friends when I worked in Russia.
“I know how he plays. He was captain of Zenit. We’re not talking about someone who we’ve had to do homework on from his time at Chelsea – that was ages ago – but Ivanovic played really, really good for Zenit. He played yesterday. I know his character.
“For me, at Chelsea he played right-back, up and down. Now, we’re getting Ivanovic as a centre-back.”
This makes an awful lot of sense, to be fair.
If we’re being honest, at the age of 36 Ivanovic is never going to have the engine and the legs that he did during his days as a full-back for Chelsea.
But equally, you never lose your footballing brain, and his anticipation and understanding could be a wonderful addition for the Baggies.
With the natural pace that Semi Ajayi has in his locker, Ivanovic’s flaws should never be highlighted too harshly, and his knowhow could bring the solidity that Albion are so desperately crying out for.
In other West Brom news, Richard Keys has tipped Bilic to leave The Hawthorns before Christmas.
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