Chelsea Transfer News: Branislav Ivanovic Future in Doubt Amid Scouting Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly started looking for a new right-back, casting doubt over the future of Branislav Ivanovic. The Serbia international has endured a disappointing start to the 2015-16 campaign, and with no reinforcements arriving during the summer transfer window, the Blues are forced to look elsewhere for options.

As reported by the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, manager Jose Mourinho has ordered scouts to start looking for a new right-back, and with Ivanovic's contract expiring at the end of this season, the outlook for the position could look very different by the end of next summer:

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He was dropped by Mourinho for the win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv; and faces an anxious wait to discover whether he'll be reinstated for the clash against Arsenal on Saturday.

Likewise, his contractual situation at Stamford Bridge is just as unclear. Ivanovic's contract expires at the end of the season meaning he can discuss a potential Bosman transfer away from January.

Chelsea have been planning to offer the defender a 12-month extension.

Nevertheless, the Blues have begun planning for life without the experienced defender after their scouts were instructed to compile a list of potential right back signings.

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Cesar Azpilicueta started at right-back for the Blues in the win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, but the Spaniard has been Mourinho's preferred option on the left. Ola Aina is reportedly the next man in line to start, but the youngster lacks the experience to contribute immediately at the highest level.

Chelsea have conceded more goals than any other Premier League club this season (12) and have started the 2015-16 campaign in dreadful form. Plenty of fans and pundits have highlighted the 31-year-old as the squad's weak link, and his apparent regression has come as a huge shock, as he was one of the club's most consistent performers in the past few seasons.

The Daily Mail's Oliver Holt looked at one particular incident during Saturday's 3-1 loss against Everton where Ivanovic simply didn't look like himself:

After several disappointing outings, Mourinho had seen enough, dropping the Serb and moving Azpilicueta to the right. Summer signing Abdul Baba Rahman was handed his debut, to the delight of football writer Liam, and the young left-back looked very solid against Maccabi:

He could keep his spot in the squad for Saturday's all-important clash with Arsenal, but given the magnitude of that match, it's likely Mourinho will opt to give Ivanovic another start. The Blues need a win against Arsenal―the pressure will be far greater than during the clash with Maccabi, and the young Baba Rahman may not be ready.

Ivanovic himself has urged his team-mates to “wake up” to avoid their slide continuing, as he told Chelsea TV (h/t Press Association Sport for ESPN FC):

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We need one big win to come back to our way. We are not playing as badly as the results are showing but we have to wake up.

I think at the moment we are being punished for all our mistakes. The only way we can change is to work hard and be ready for the next game, so it is like a final and we have to play like a final.

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If Ivanovic cannot improve on his performances, Chelsea will likely go through with the one-year extension, as reported by Mokbel, and try to find some cover for the near future or move the Serb next summer altogether.

Baba Rahman may be the answer on the left wing, which would allow Azpilicueta to move to the right full time, but even then, some depth is needed.

Of course, it's perfectly possible Ivanovic's bad form is just that―a matter of form. At 31 years of age, he would appear to be too young to regress so badly in such a short time, and perhaps he will quickly return to his old, dominant self.

It won't change Mourinho's approach to the transfer market, as the Blues still need depth and would like to start looking at a replacement that can be groomed, so expect the Blues' scouts to stay busy in the coming months.

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