If you were born in the late 1980s or early 1990s, you may be expertly familiar with the film Space Jam.
Starring possibly the greatest basketball player of all-time, Michael Jordan, the movie centres around a group of cartoon aliens, the Nerdlucks/Monstars, who steal the sporting prowess of actual human stars. They take those talents to their fictitious world in an attempt to beat another cartoon team, the Looney Tunes.
Victims of theft, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley, Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues, without their talent, looked shells of themselves in real life. Unable to dribble, catch, pass or shoot, the professional NBA players reverted to almost three-year-old versions of themselves.
Jordan, naturally, saves the day and restores order, helping the Looney Tunes defeat the Nerdlucks/Monstars in the cartoon world and his fellow, debilitated professionals regain their talent in the natural realm.
One's views on alien abduction aside, it might be time to assume Chelsea Football Club have been victims of a similar crime.
Diego Costa, Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic have hardly scratched the surface of their 2014/15 form. Looking at times uninterested and generally sluggish, the key men from last season's double are struggling to keep pace with the league leaders, but with 33 matches left to play, they have time to lift themselves and their team-mates from the table's cellar—but nothing without change.
While hope remains for the aforementioned quartet, Branislav Ivanovic's talents seem to have evaporated forever. The 31-year-old defender has enjoyed a successful Chelsea career—winning every major trophy England and Europe have to offer in his eight-year tenure—but his rapid depreciation has been stark.
Member of the 2014/15 PFA Team of the Season, the preferred centre-back, but recognised right-back, was a consensus pick for the Premier League's best full-back just five months ago. Not any longer.
Chelsea fans would attest his current form is not too surprising. Never confused for a stalwart defender, invariably forward and constantly looking for opportunities to assist offensively, what helped the Serbia international was the overall defensive ethic seen across the Chelsea team.
Jose Mourinho protected his defence by giving them an anchor in midfield (Matic) and helped the right flank by playing a workhorse winger (Willian), this season those elements have been removed.
Pedro has usurped Willian in the winger rotation, and while brilliant offensively, he cannot mask the stench of Ivanovic's attacking enthusiasm. Furthermore, Fabregas and Matic's pivot partnership has not enjoyed the splendid form shown a season prior.
Casting Ivanovic a liability is not as simple as pointing to his mistakes. One must highlight the footballers around him who are not playing to their level and, more importantly, the manager who insists on continuing with the 31-year-old veteran.
In 2013/14, Mourinho had no issue virtually ending the Chelsea career of Ashley Cole after a dismal performance at Newcastle United. Cesar Azpilicueta was played at left-back for the rest of that season, and the Spain international has made the position his home—but the former Olympique de Marseille man is a natural right-back.
Why Chelsea's manager chooses to neglect his oft-discussed meritocracy is akin to tactical suicide.
The Blues purchased Filipe Luis and Baba Rahman over the last two summers, costing £37.5 million of Roman Abramovich's fortune, and sold Ryan Bertrand (the 2014/15 PFA Team of the Season left-back) to Southampton in January for £10 million. Chelsea have had options to move Azpilicueta and install natural options at each full-back position, but Mourinho has persisted.
Branislav Ivanović is apparently God's cockroach—he can't be killed under any circumstance.
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) September 12, 2015
Make no mistake, given the proper protections and attacking limitations, Ivanovic can be a solid member of a competent defence. His aggression and leadership qualities are exemplary, but they mean nothing if wingers are running circles around him.
If Chelsea are unwilling, or unable, to establish the necessary components for the full-back's success, Mourinho must swallow his pride, bench his vice-captain and hope the strong decision sends a signal to the rest of his squad: If you are not playing well, and show no signs of improvement, your spot cannot be automatic.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2565356-what-has-happened-to-chelseas-201415-star-branislav-ivanovic
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