Once bitten, now smitten! Ivanovic would welcome controversial Suarez at Chelsea



Branislav Ivanovic admits he would happily welcome Luis Suarez into the Chelsea dressing room despite being bitten by the Uruguayan only three months ago.

Suarez was banned for 10 games in April after sinking his teeth into Ivanovic’s right arm during a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

' About Luis Suarez, I said straight after the game, whatever happened on the field finished there,' said Ivanovic.

Line up: Branislav Ivanovic (left) with manager Jose Mourinho and team-mate Marco van Ginkel Have a word: Ivanovic and Mourinho talk business at Chelsea's press conference in Bangkok

' He's one of the best strikers in the Premier League. I don't have any problem with him or doubt about that.'

Suarez still has six games of his ban to serve but has made it abundantly clear this summer that is wants to leave Liverpool.

Real Madrid and Arsenal are interested in Suarez but Jose Mourinho is also keen to boost Chelsea’s firepower, although he would prefer to prise Wayne Rooney away from Manchester United.

' This is a period where the big clubs, and the managers of the big clubs, are connected with every player,' said Mourinho. 'Until August 31, that's the old story in football: rumours and rumours and rumours. At the end of the day, after so many rumours, some things come true.

' The first part of my job is to get the best from these players, push the boys to the levels they can reach, and try to make a real team. After that, we will see.

Sinking his teeth in: Ivanovic was bitten by Luis Suarez but would welcome the striker at Chelsea

Chelsea team v Singha XI

First half (4-2-3-1): Cech, Wallace, Kalas, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Piazon, Schurrle, Lukaku.

Second half: Blackman, Ivanovic, Cahill, Chalobah, Bertrand, Van Ginkel, Ramires, De Bruyne , Hazard, Ba, Moses.

' Until August 31 we will see if we can sign anyone who can improve our squad, but my focus and ambition is to work with these guys. I can say it's a pleasure to work with them. I was missing this fantastic working relation. Not just for them, but for me. After a week I'm still the happy one because my boys were fantastic.'

Ivanovic has attracted interested from mega-rich French clubs Paris St Germain and Monaco but insists he is not in a hurry to leave Stamford Bridge.

' I am happy to be here,' said the 29-year-old Serb, who has three more years left on his current contract. 'I will do everything and will work hard to do everything for the club. Nothing will change until the last day I’m here.'

He joined Chelsea in January 2008, after Mourinho had been sacked but has enjoyed his first week of training with the returning hero.

Through their paces: Mourinho has been pushing his players during training in Bangkok

' I think he was in the heart of all Chelsea supporters all these years,' said Ivanovic. 'We are very happy that he’s here and can improve us. For the first week, we've really enjoyed it. But you have to stay focused and we have to prove to him every day that we are good enough to play hard games. At this moment we feel in the moment very confident.'

Mourinho’s first game of his second spell as Chelsea boss will be a friendly against the Singha All Stars XI in Bangkok on Wednesday and he has named the players who will start and those who will replace them at half-time.



