Branislav Ivanovic appeals to fans not to lose faith in Chelsea

Branislav Ivanovic (Gett Images)

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Defender Blanislav Ivanovic has pleaded with Chelsea fans to continue to trust the team, insisting the Blues will be back stronger next season. 

The Blues had a promising start to the Premier League campaign, but suffered an indifferent run of form heading into 2011.

In recent months however, Chelsea pulled an impressive run of results together to overtake Arsenal and pose a serious challenge to Manchester United for the title.

But providing United don’t lose their game against Blackburn at the weekend, they will take the title and become the most successful club in English football.

Ivanovic told the club’s official website: “Unfortunately, we didn’t win a trophy this season and now we have to show the fans they can believe in us for next year.

“We have to say ‘thank you’ with this game to our fans because they deserve it.

“It is a difficult moment when you know you don’t have any chance but it is important that we are strong and ready for this game.

“We are not expecting an easy game because Newcastle will want to show they are a good team and please their fans, so we have to be ready 100%.

“I think our fans deserve to have a good game from us.”

The defender is expecting his side to finish runners-up in the title race, but still expects the Blues to finish strongly.

He added: “It’s very important we finish as high as we can, which looks like it will be second.

“Everyone is looking at strong teams and, after a not successful year, we have to be strong, show character and be really powerful.

“Next season for us starts with this game against Newcastle and we have to start everything again and be better so we can challenge for the title again.”