Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that he 'doesn't mind' dropping to the bench under manager Antonio Conte.
The Serbian was named among the substitutes for last Saturday's 2-0 victory over Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.
Ivanovic has failed to impress in recent appearances as Conte attempts to implement a three-man defence.
"I was maximum ready and healthy for the match with Hull, but I never got the chance," The Mirror quotes Ivanovic as saying. "I'll always put myself below the interests of the team, be that national side or club.
"When the team is successful and when they win, it's quickly forgotten when you make mistakes. It's been a while since I was a back-up, but I do not mind. I'll sit on the bench whenever the coach decides, and not for the first time in these eight years at Chelsea.
"I think that the status of players cannot be concluded on the basis of an unplayed 90 minutes. Today's football means that every day you have to fight and prove yourself. There is no past, no future, only the present. It is normal to be on the bench, especially in clubs that over and over again are going step further."
Ivanovic's absence at the weekend was the first time since the 2011-12 season that he has been dropped due to a lack of form.
Danielle Joynson
