1. Fulham FC
Jokanovic rules
out prospect of
January signings
SLAVISA JOKANOVIC says that any
transfer activity at Fulham in January will
come at a premium.
The Whites face Sheffield Wednesday at
home tomorrow as the Championship
resumes after the international break.
Chances are, much the same unit will be in
place for the return at Hillsborough in May
on the last day of the regular season.
Apart from wrapping up a permanent
deal for £9 million-rated Chris Martin, the
Fulham head coach says it is unlikely the
club will add to the 32 comings and goings
that put the Craven Cottage exit in a
summer spin. That certainly won’t be the
biggest surprise.
Jokanovic complained long and loud
about the lack of new faces until a flurry of
signings arrived at the last minute ahead of
the August deadline.
A good August gave way to a poor
September and a mixed October finished
with two fantastic wins, at home to
Huddersfield and away to Brentford.
The coach is shy of a total shutdown on
moves but loan moves last season were a
disaster, apart from defender Michael Madl,
and the new laws prohibiting all but
half-season deals suggest no one’s going out
and no one will be coming in.
He said: “Generally, I don’t believe we’re
going to buy so many in the January
transfer window.
“What we have to do is improve with
what is here and improve on the field.
“But we check the market. The board and
the owner might be looking.
“I’m always looking.”
n exceptional: Michael Madl was a rare successful loan deal
for Fulham last season. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
40 TJP4TH Friday, November 18, 2016
SPORT
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CHELSEA defender Branislav
Ivanovic said he hoped boss
Antonio Conte was watching
when Serbia drew against Wales
at the weekend.
Ivanovic has been frozen out of
the Blues starting XI since Conte
switched to a back three – with
Victor Moses as right wing-back –
following the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal
in September.
And it looks as if the Serb
might have to kick his heels a tad
longer when his teammates take on
Middlesbrough away on Sunday.
Against the Welsh, the Serbia
captain was deployed as one of
three centre-backs and said he was
delighted to be back on the park.
“I was injured and I’m just back
in the [Serbia] team,” said the
32-year-old in Cardiff.
“Of course it’s great to be back
on the pitch.
“I need minutes, it’s very
important for me and I hope in the
future I will be physically ready,
and ready to play for the team.”
Ivanovic, who has played only
three minutes for his club since
the Gunners shot them down, was
asked if he hoped Conte had eyes
on his solid display that helped
Serbia to an important point.
“Definitely all the managers look
at the players for their [national]
teams and of course he’s a top
manager and he was watching all
our players,” said the defender,
who is reported to be considering
a move away from Stamford
Bridge during the pending January
transfer window.
“I’m ready to play and I like to
play, especially for my country, and
I’m always ready.
“Every player in the world likes
to play every game but sometimes
you don’t have the option, but
you have to be ready for every
challenge and, from my side, I can
say I’m ready.”
The former Lokomotiv Moscow
player is reportedly seeking to stay
in the capital if he does leave the
Bridge, although Milan are said to
be keen on taking the Serb, whose
Chelsea contract is due to expire at
the end of the season.
Ironically, Ivanovic features
in the sort of back three for his
country that may hasten his
departure from west London.
“It’s definitely changed our team
when [Serbia] started playing with
three at the back,” added Ivanovic.
“It’s helped me because I can be
in that shape and be there for
the team. I think with this shape
players can learn a lot tactically. I
think it’s the future of football.”
The defender, who has spent
eight years at Stamford Bridge
but who was a lightning rod for
supporter dissatisfaction with
performances last season, refused
to be drawn any further on his
situation in west London.
“We [Chelsea] are in a good
mode, playing some fantastic
games, fantastic football,” he said.
“We’re working very hard and this
is something very positive.”
Unless there is a change of heart
from Conte though, Ivanovic could
be wearing different club colours
by the time he returns to World
Cup qualifying with Serbia in
Tblisi to play Georgia in March.
chelsea FC
by Max Hall
max.hall@trinitymirror.com
Blues
star tells
manager
‘I need
playing
time’Ivanovic appeals to
Bridge boss Conte
after Serbia match
n Unsettled:
Chelsea veteran
Branislav Ivanovic
Picture: Srdjan
Stevanovic/Getty
Images