Branislav Ivanovic is fighting for his future at Chelsea.

The Sun says manager Antonio Conte is planning to switch current left-back Cesar Azpilicueta back to his more traditional right-back role and into direct contention with veteran Ivanovic.

Chelsea also splashed £23million on new left back Marcos Alonso during the later stages of the transfer window last month as the plans begin to unfold for a new era at Stamford Bridge.

Switching the full backs means Ivanovic, 32, looks likely to be squeezed out more and more as he moves through the remaining months of his one-year contract which expires next June.

The return of former centre-half David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain also means opportunities for Ivanovic in his secondary position will be ever more limited as the season progresses.