Despite Chelsea coming away as2-0 winners at the KC stadium last Saturday, Branislav Ivanovic was left wondering where his future may lie.
Chelsea'sgame against Hull City last time outmarked the first time the Serbian international has been dropped due to poorform for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign.
The 32 year-old is currently in the last year of his contract and following on from a very disappointing season the future is starting to look very gloomy for a player who has enjoyed a successful career at Stamford Bridge since arriving in 2008 where he has managed to win two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
There has alsobeen increasing pressure from fans that Ivanovic is now past the peak of his powers and there have been calls for him to no longer be considered an automatic selection at right back.
Another potential issue for Ivanovic is the fact that Antonio Conte reverted to a three-man defence for the game against Hull and with John Terry and Kurt Zouma expected back from soon, the competition for those spots is going to significantly increase.
Chelsea clean sheet without Ivanovic. Who would have thought it?
Although he accepted the fact that he had been dropped, he did vow to fight for his first team spot,the Serbian captain went on to say - according to theMirror: I was maximum ready and healthy for the match with Hull, but I never got the chance.
I'll always put myself below the interests of the team, be that national side or club.When the team is successful and when they win, it's quickly forgotten when you make mistakes.
It's been a while since I was a back-up, but I do not mind. I'll sit on the bench whenever the coach decides, and not for the first time in these eight years at Chelsea."
Nemanja Matic did leap to the defence of his international skipper, the midfielder when on to say:He is a top player who for eight years has given a lot at the highest level. On the other hand, the Premier League is very demanding and it is hard to physically endure one season, let alone as many years as Ivanovic.
Branislav plays over 50 matches a year, and credit to him for that. You know that in England there are no easy matches and players there must be excellent, as Bane is.�