Hiddink hails Chelsea ‘leader’ Ivanovic

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink says Branislav Ivanovic has shown he can provide the sort of inspirational leadership that John Terry normally brings to the team.

The 32-year-old Serbian, who joined the Blues in January 2008, has switched from right-back to centre-half following injuries to Terry and Kurt Zouma.

And he has impressed after taken on the added responsibility of captaining the side.

Hiddink said: “Terry has proven [to be a leader] already for many, many, many years and I must say Branislav Ivanovic is doing the same. Already he has had many years in the club and is also a leader.”

Meanwhile, Hiddink says he has been pleased with how Baba Rahman has played at left-back while regular full-backs Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta have moved positions to cover for the injured Terry.

But he feels the 21-year-old Ghanaian still has room to improve.

“I have seen him in training before we made the reshuffle,” Hiddink said.

“He has the quality from nature. He knows how to play when he is on the ball and we are working to get him more competitive in the positions.

“There are little things to improve but so far he has done okay.”