No olds barred for the Baggies
IVANOVIC AGE NOT A WORRY SAYS BROM BOSS BILIC
SLAVEN BILIC has dismissed suggestions that Branislav Ivanovic is just winding down his career at West Brom.
The Baggies’ boss says he had to be convinced the Serbian was still ‘ hungry’ to perform as a player before giving the green light to his move to the Hawthorns.
Ivanovic, 36, has joined on a season-long deal after leaving Zenit St Petersburg and Bilic says the expectation is that the ex-Chelsea man will play a full part in West Brom’s campaign.
He said: “When some players reach the age of 36 they are still big players. They are part of the team and they can teach others – but the key is that they stay hungry.
“Barney is like that. He’s not hungry to teach anyone. He didn’t come here to give lessons.
“He’s coming here to help us on the pitch – that’s how he is and that’s why I said ‘ Yes’ when I was asked about him coming here.
“He views himself as a player.
“That’s important. I don’t need a coach, but I do need someone out there on the pitch for those moments
– like last week against Chelsea – when the players need to calm themselves down and focus during the game.
“It’s something the manager cannot do.
“But, first and foremost, he has to play.”
Ivanovic is likely to be on the bench against Saints despite West Brom tossing away a three-goal lead over Chelsea last week.
Bilic knows the Serbian’s best days may be behind him now but still expects him to make a big contribution throughout this season. He added: “Look, if he was in his best condition – I’m not lying when I say he’d still be at Chelsea.
“If you look at Thiago Silva, he is the same age and is playing for Chelsea – and he played in the Champions League final only a few weeks ago for Paris Saint-Germain.
“I have a friend who is the assistant coach at Juventus, working with Andrea Pirlo, and he told me by far the best defender they have in the building is Giorgio Chiellini – and he is 36.
“Look at Wes Morgan, he is still playing for Leicester, when he plays I don’t see the difference.
“I can say all these things – but he has to play and play well for us.”
When some players reach the age of 36 they are still big players. They are part of the team, but the key is they must stay hungry