Antonio
Conte has offered no assurances over Branislav Ivanovic's Chelsea future as
the transfer window draws to a close.
Ivanovic, who turns 33 in February, has won every major honour at the club
since joining from Lokomotiv Moscow in January 2008, making more than 350
appearances.
However, having operated primarily as a right-back in recent seasons,
Ivanovic has fallen out of favour in Conte's preferred 3-4-3 formation.
Ivanovic has been linked with moves to Zenit St Petersburg and Everton in
the January transfer window, and was not in the matchday squad for last
weekend's win over Hull.
"I don't know if anything happens about him," Conte said.
"There are four days (remaining of the transfer window) and, in this month,
there is a lot of speculation."
Ivanovic's last Premier League start came in the defeat to Arsenal in
September. Chelsea subsequently enjoyed a 13-match winning run, with Victor
Moses preferred as right wing-back and Cesar Azpilicueta on the right of a
three-man central defence.
The Serbia international will be in Chelsea's squad to face Brentford in the
FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, but there may still be no starting place
for Ivanovic in Conte's tactical system.
"When I switched to three at the back, something changed and, for sure, I
have to make decisions," Conte added.
"I think that, until now, he's always involved in our squad."
Conte does plan to rotate his options against Brentford due to the proximity
of key games against Premier League title rivals, with Chelsea set to play
Liverpool next Tuesday night and Arsenal four days later on February 4.
Conte said: "We play two games very tough against two rivals to win the
league, but for me now my focus, my concentration is to go into the next
round of the FA Cup.
"I hope the same thought is in the mind of my players. It's an opportunity
for us - for me - to see many players who are not playing."
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