Bullish Mourinho To Bench Branislav Ivanovic For Baba Rahman In WBA Clash

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is at it again. The Portuguese manager is not afraid to do things some others would not dare do, and such is the recent substitution of captain John Terry – for the first time under Jose – during half time in Chelsea’s 3-0 spanking at the hands of Manchester City.

Mourinho is ready to wield the axe once again, if a report from the Mirror is true. The source claims Chelsea’s new left-back Baba Rahman will be thrown into the starting line-up against West Bromwich Albion in Sunday’s do-or-die tie at the Hawthorns, meaning a place on the bench for vice-captain Branislav Ivanovic – who has been alarmingly poor in the two Premier League games against Swansea and Manchester City. Hence, the impressive Cesar Azplicueta who is a ‘converted’ left-back will be returned to his primary role at right back.

Baba completed his £21.7m transfer to Chelsea after last Sunday’s defeat at the Etihad, and the Ghanaian is now expected to make his debut from the start against the Baggies on Sunday.

Mourinho’s first-choice right-back will reportedly be dropped for the fixture after such a disappointing start to the season. The 31-year old Serbia international defender has looked a shadow of himself since the inception of the new Premier League season. He was ran ragged by Swansea’s pacey winger Jefferson Montero two weeks ago, and also Raheem Sterling last Sunday. He was found wanting for the second City goal headed in by Vincent Kompany, and also the last goal scored by Fernandinho. Therefore, the no-nonsense Mourinho seems to have had it all.

However, Baba will make his start for the Blues faster than expected and much is expected from the 21-year left-back, who made the highest tackles of all left backs in the Bundesliga last season. He also helped Augsburg to a fifth place place, thereby securing them a Europa League place this season.