Branislav Ivanovic Is Fast Becoming Premier League's Best Defender

If Chelsea do go on and win the Premier League title at a canter (which looks likely after their latest win on Wednesday, this time against Tottenham Hotspur), then it may well be the attacking fluidity that is heralded as the secret behind that success.

After all, with someone like Diego Costa in their ranks last season, Chelsea could well have won the title last season, too. They may have even had a good shot at it with Didier Drogba upfront, or even with Loic Remy.

The fact Jose Mourinho has cracked Chelsea's attacking conundrum from last season has seemingly transformed them from title contenders to title certainties. However, as is often the case with teams stacked with attacking flair, the defence are playing an equally important, yet sometimes overlooked, role in their run to the title.

That 3-0 win against Spurs on Wednesday produced Chelsea's fourth successive clean sheet. That is no mean feat in the Premier League, regardless of the opposition. Incidentally, that opposition has included Tottenham and German giants Schalke 04.

All of Chelsea's defence are playing their part, but it is the performances of Branislav Ivanovic that are once again catching the eye this season. The 30-year-old has been Chelsea's Mr. Consistent for the past two or three seasons now, but this year, his performances seem to have improved even more.

In fact, Ivanovic is now on the verge of being regarded as the single best defender in the Premier League. Admittedly, that's a big statement, given the likes of Vincent Kompany and even Chelsea teammates John Terry and Gary Cahill.

But Ivanovic is such a modern, all-round defender, that it is a statement that suits him to perfection. He possesses the defensive prowess unlike any other full-back, whilst combining that with unbelievable attacking flair, too.

Ivanovic has become one of the most prolific defenders in the division in terms of goal scoring, which makes him an even bigger asset to Jose Mourinho's men this year. He's already got two goals from his 14 appearances, which may not sound a lot, but in terms of a defender's contribution to the goalscoring stakes, it is plenty. Throw in the fact he's created 14 chances for his side too (per Squawka.com), and his stats look even more impressive.

Per WhoScored.com, the stats show that Ivanovic's importance to Chelsea at the back cannot be underestimated, too. With over four clearances per game and well over two key tackles each outing too, Ivanovic has now become a player Chelsea cannot do without.

The stability he gives them at full-back makes him a certainty for every team Mourinho picks, with the calming influence he provides at the back laying a great platform for those in front of him.

Every great team is built on a solid defence, and with the likes of Ivanovic holding the fort at the back (as well as Terry and Cahill, of course), Chelsea's attack can go forward without any fear of being caught out behind them.

Again, when the curtain falls on this season, if it does turn out to be Chelsea who triumph in the title race, Ivanovic's performances may get overlooked in some quarters. But without the ever-impressive 30-year-old in their ranks, Chelsea may be a whole lot shakier at the back.