Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic | Serbia & Chelsea Superstar

The Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has said that the current Premier league champions Manchester City will have a strong fight on their hands if they are to retain the title. He has also said that it will certainly not be easy for the Manchester club to once again lift the title.

Manchester city manager to lift the first Premier league title for the first time in 44 years. It is expected that they will now be targeting to conquer Europe. Chelsea were very much similar to Manchester City almost a decade ago after they had just won the league title after a gap of 50 years.

Branislav Ivanovic recently won the Champions League title with Chelsea. He has also been the recipient of the Premier league title within the club two seasons ago. He has said that he wants to lift the Premier League title once again, while also looking to do well in the European competition. As a result, Manchester City will not be having an easy route to the title. Chelsea have spent a lot of money in revamping the squad. Five attacking players have arrived at the club in the summer transfer window for a total cost of £ 60 million.

"Manchester United are always the first favourite when you look at the league. They are always there. City won last year and they will have the motivation to do it again. But the other teams like us are trying to build something new. It's going to be very tough for City. It was the same with us. When you win the league all the other teams, whether they are big or small, they fight and have extra motivation against you," said Ivanovic, who was linked with a move to Real Madrid only a few weeks ago.

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has said that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric needs to play for a much bigger club than Tottenham.

He has also recommended that the Croatian should choose Chelsea over any other club interested in securing his services at the moment due to the fact that he is much more essential for the London club.

Chelsea came extremely close to securing the signature of the 26-year-old Croatian midfielder last season, but Tottenham refused to sell him even for a last ditch offer of £ 40 million from the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Even though the Chelsea have not been linked with the Tottenham midfielder as much as they have been last season, it is still thought that there is a possibility that Modric could end up at Stamford bridge. Chelsea have already secured the signing of a playmaker in the form of Eden Hazard, but they could be looking at the possibility to strengthen the team even more with the addition of Modric. The Croatian midfielder is not expected to cost the same £ 40 million and upwards as he did last season. The latest rumours suggest that Real Madrid could be close to securing his signature, though they are also chasing Luis Suarez.

"I don't know much about it other than what I read in the media. I know there was interest in the transfer window before. Chelsea as a team have needed a player with these qualities. He would fit in quickly and strengthen the squad. He has been in England a long time and knows about the way football is played on the island and the mentality of the players. He has exceptional quality, and moving to a bigger club is necessary for him to take the next step in his career," said Branislav Ivanovic to the Sportske Novosti.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has said that he wants striker Didier Drogba to stay at the club for many more years. The 34-year-old Ivorian striker is out of contract at the end of the season.

Chelsea have offered him only a one-year deal, but it is thought that the striker is demanding a two year contract. However, considering his age Chelsea have not been willing to get into these demands, but in the last two months, Didier Drogba has simply been outstanding. He has almost single-handedly helped them get past Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League, while he once again help Chelsea win their fourth FA Cup title in six years.

Drogba has an imperious scoring record at the new Wembley. The Ivorian has scored eight goals in eight appearances for Chelsea at the new Wembley, while he has also scored in three FA Cup finals. After the 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday, Drogba extended the record by becoming the first player to score in four FA Cup finals. Following the match, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard called on for the club to provide Drogba with a new contract so that he can extend his eight-year stay at the club. Drogba was a £ 24 million club record signing back in 2004 when he arrived from Marseille.

"I'm desperate for him to stay. He is a magnificent player. He's a machine. He's unique. He is not just that big man. He is such a handful. He scores goals that matter and that's priceless. There is no-one like Didier as a player, not with the kind of bulldozer thing he has got and with his sublime touch and finish. Everyone has to move on at some stage and you have to find a different player or a different way of playing but for what he has done at this club, he deserves everything," Lampard said.

Chelsea conceded a late equaliser against Wigan athletic to end hopes of winning the title. It seemed that Chelsea's title hopes were written off prematurely when they beat Manchester City at Stamford bridge last week.

However, they conceded a late equaliser against Wigan athletic, which ended any hopes of catching Manchester City and Manchester United. The draw leaves Chelsea with nine points to make up to the leaders Manchester City, who have been in sensational form throughout the season.

Chelsea started the match brightly with Branislav Ivanovic partnering John Terry in the back. David Luiz was once again missing through injury and hence Branislav Ivanovic was replaced by José Bosingwa at right back. The Serbian was impressive during the whole match, but his mistake in the final few minutes of the match gave Wigan athletic a much-needed impetus before the closing moments of the game. In the 87th minute, Wigan midfielder Gomez stepped up to capitalise on the error by goalkeeper Cech to score an unlikely equaliser.

Chelsea had taken the lead through Daniel Sturridge at the start of the second half. The England striker collected a superb long ball from Ashley Cole to slot the ball past Wigan goalkeeper Al Habsi. It looked like it was going to be enough for Chelsea to hold on to the lead, but the nervousness of the Chelsea defence in recent seasons came back to haunt Andre Villas-Boas and John Terry.

The equaliser kills any hopes of Chelsea winning the title this season. Ironically, Chelsea scored six past Wigan without any reply only last season, but this draw will be hugely damaging to their title aspirations this season. Following the draw, Chelsea also conceded the third spot to Tottenham Hotspur, whom they will be facing on Thursday night.