Branislav Ivanovic’s transfer simply hasn’t worked out
Much has been made of Slaven Bilic’s recruitment for West Brom in the last summer transfer window.
Albion agreed deals that amounted a total just shy of £35million on Karlan Grant, Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereria (transfermarkt) as the Croat added to the squad.
But despite this, by December 16th he was sacked, with West Brom 19th in the table. The defence was really struggling with the pace of the Premier League and were leaking a lot of goals.
There was, however, one signing made in an attempt to bolster up the backline. Branislav Ivanovic was brought in on a free transfer, but it’s fair to say, this one hasn’t quite worked out.
Ivanovic has won everything in England. With Chelsea, he lifted the Premier League, multiple FA Cups, even the Champions League and Europa League.
Despite being 36, His signing was seen to be hugely positive. Although he may not feature week in, week out, he would provide experience and help the defence on and off the pitch.
As it stands, West Brom have the worst defence in the Premier League. We’ve conceded 57 goals so far this season, nearly two goals per game.
Ivanovic has contributed next to nothing in his time at the club. He’s started nine times in the top-flight for West Brom, in which time, 23 goals have been conceded [WyScout].
The Russian has played just three times since Sam Allardyce joined the club in December, managing just 131 minutes. Not one of those minutes has come since the turn of the year, he really is a forgotten man.
In all honesty, we weren’t expecting him to play many games. But a player with his resume will no doubt demand high wages. He must be on a fortune whilst barely getting a sniff of action.
It was, after all, just a one year contract he signed. Ivanovic will depart at the end of the season, but how will he be remembered at The Hawthorns? Given there have been no fans in stadiums, the majority of supporters will forget he even joined.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips has backed this player to force his way back into Big Sam’s plans.