Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas

West Ham United are keen on signing Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in the January transfer window.

That’s according to Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express, who noted the Serbia international is considering his options. Ivanovic’s contract with the Blues is set to expire at the end of the season, and he’s lost his place in the team under manager Antonio Conte.

It’s stated that the Hammers want to add Ivanovic in January, although Crystal Palace and Inter Milan are also keeping tabs on the 32-year-old. The Chelsea man is said to prefer to stay in London if possible.

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At his best, Ivanovic was arguably the finest right-back in the Premier League. However, over the past couple of seasons, his form has declined rapidly, culminating in Conte dropping the defender from the starting XI and changing the formation to 3-4-3.

The system has worked wonderfully for the Blues, who've won their last five Premier League games in succession. As we can see, courtesy of WhoScored.com, Chelsea have thrived from a defensive point of view:

The success of the setup has got plenty at Stamford Bridge purring, although for Ivanovic, it’s not good news.

At his peak, he would have been ideal to slot in as the furthermost right of the three centre-backs, with his dynamism, power and aggression all key to thriving in that role. However, he now looks like he needs to protection to flourish.

That’s something West Ham could offer, as they’ll naturally be a little more cautious in their setup than the Blues. And for Ivanovic, after eight memorable seasons at Chelsea, perhaps a change of scenery and the consequent new challenges could trigger an upturn in form.

Cesc Fabregas Wants Chelsea Stay

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According to Simon Jones of the Mail on Sunday, Cesc Fabregas wants to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea despite talk of a January departure.

"The 29-year-old will be made available for loan in January as Chelsea consider venturing into the transfer market for a new playmaker," Jones added. The Blues are reportedly looking at the possibility of signing Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic or Paris Saint-Germain star Javier Pastore.

Fabregas has been pushed to the fringes of this Chelsea side under Conte, with the Italian preferring the dynamic midfield duo of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic. However, the Spain international is said to be enjoying life in the capital, with his partner expecting their third child, and doesn't want to relocate.

Conte’s intense and tactically disciplined style of football doesn’t align well with Fabregas' qualities. Indeed, sports writer Rafael Hernandez suggested the former Barcelona man was a hindrance to the Blues and his former club:

However, the midfielder has assets that so many coaches crave. The 29-year-old can still find killer passes in the final third, score goals and, in the right type of setup, dictate the tempo of a game.

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Unfortunately for Fabregas, Conte doesn't typically accommodate such players. One of the key factors behind the 3-4-3 system's success is the work every member of the XI puts in off the ball, making it so hard for opponents to establish a pattern.

Out of possession, Fabregas doesn’t offer that kind of steeliness. As such, should he stay at Chelsea beyond the winter window, it’s difficult to see the Catalan playing anything other than a bit part.