Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has said that the entire Blues squad is aiming to have a positive second half of the season.

The Serbian, who just signed a one-year contract extension with the West Londoners, believes that the team is now getting more time on the training ground between matches and it's showing in their results.

Following a disastrous first half of their title defence, Ivanovic insists that Chelsea are desperate to achieve success come the end of 2015/16.

"The first thing we have to say is that we've had more time to work, we've had a week between games and we've worked very hard," Ivanovic told club's official website.

"Our physical condition is better and the result is that we are showing it on the pitch.

"We are really working hard because when the games start coming every three days we won't have time for that. The cups are always a chance to win trophies and make the season positive, but we still have to think about the Premier League.

"We are starting to play as a team which is very important. During a year it can be good or bad and you have ups and downs.

"This season a lot of times we have been down so we are trying to make half the season positive, that's what we're looking for."