The one thing Chelsea must do to be back ‘among the best teams in Europe’ again

Branislav Ivanovic has backed his former club to return to the top of the Premier League, but only when Roman Abramovich returns to Stamford Bridge.

Abramovich hasn’t been present at the stadium in recent months as he battles with the UK government over his visa.

Ivanovic is certain that the club need their owner back involved in everyday proceedings in order to return to success.

“This is a new Chelsea team,” Ivanovic told FourFourTwo.

“The club didn’t have the perfect season last year, but still finished third.

“Chelsea need Roman Abramovich back.

“That’s the most important thing for all the fans.

“We want to see him at Stamford Bridge, then Chelsea will be among the best teams in Europe once again.

“He’s been one of the most important people in my career, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me.

“Whenever I had a difficult moment at Chelsea, he always believed in me.

“I owe him a lot.”

Ivanovic, 35, left Chelsea in 2017 after nine years at the club in which he scored 34 goals in 377 appearances.

Chelsea have had a mixed start to their first season under Ivanovic’s former team-mate Frank Lampard, but he is feeling confident ahead of the visit of Brighton on Saturday.

He said: “The fact we haven’t won at home in the league is something we obviously want to correct.

“We need home wins. We were very unlucky last week against Liverpool, but that doesn’t help the points situation.

“We need a similar performance to Liverpool. If we get that level of performance, then I expect a home win to come very soon.”

source: express.co.uk