2.   BRANISLAV IVANOVIC

Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow on a three-and-a-half year contract, Branislav became then manager Avram Grant's second signing in the January 2008 transfer window, following on from the arrival of Nicolas Anelka.

The 23-year-old Serbian international is a versatile addition to the squad. He can play right back, centre back or defensive midfield.

Having begun his career in his native Serbia at local club Sremska Mitrovica, he soon moved to the Serbian capital Belgrade to play for OFK Beograd where he remained for three seasons, joining Lokomotiv in the summer of 2006. He appeared for the Russian side in the Uefa Cup.

A star of Serbia's Under 21s in both the 2006 and 2007 European Championships, Branislav was voted into the Uefa Team of the Tournament for the more recent event, and has successfully graduated into a regular for the full national side.

He made his Serbia and Montenegro debut in June 2006, and is now a regular in the centre of the Serbian defence alongside Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic.

Branislav played twice for the Chelsea reserve team during the remainder of the 2007/08 season as he worked up to full fitness, ready to stake a claim for a place in the first team.