Branislav Ivanovic signs new one-year deal - Your thoughts?

Chelsea confirmed yesterday that Branislav Ivanovic has signed a one-year contract extension worth a reported £120,000 per week. I was wondering what the general consensus amongst the Chelsea fans is to the news?

Ask me two months ago and I would have said it's a joke and that he should be one of the first to leave. Now? I am not too sure.

In a way it's wrong to pinpoint individuals for our decline this season as generally it has been the collective that had performed poorly leading to the sacking of Jose Mourinho. However, it's right to state that up to a couple of months ago, Ivanovic was one of our worst performers.

Reports in the press indicate that the club see him as an asset and Roman Abramovich is a big admirer of the Serbian defender. Without question, on record, he has proven to be such a good signing for Chelsea over the years and has made many important contributions to our success.

However, football is not about the past, it's about moving forward, looking to the future and I see his contract extension as a move to try and ensure some sort of stability at the club with plenty speculating that there could be a mass exodus in the summer.

We go on and on about giving youngsters a chance or even Baba Rahman who has spoken of his frustrations at a lack of game time. Why not move Cesar Azpilicueta over to his favoured position at right back, the position he is at his strongest and play Rahman or look to bring someone younger in look at next season and beyond?

As for the remainder of this season? Ivanovic has improved his form and seems to have control of most in-game situations again. He has performed better and maybe the time he spent out of the side earlier in the season has made him re-evaluate how poor he has been?

One thing is for sure, he MUST remain fully focused throughout the ninety minutes as last week against Everton proved. He switched off at the far post, stood still leaving his marker and allowed TWO Everton players the opportunity to hook the ball into the net from close range without challenge and thank god it never cost us in the end.

Question marks remain over Ivanovic as far as I am concerned but as with everyone else, he must do better!

What do you think of his new deal?