Branislav Ivanovic is flourishing in his role as stand-in Chelsea skipper after netting a crucial winner at Southampton, according to boss Guus Hiddink.
The Serbian full-back has stepped into the role as John Terry continues to make his way back to fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury earlier this month.
Ivanovic has taken possession of the armband and Terry’s central defensive position, marking his latest appearance with a late winner to sink the Saints at St Mary’s.
Interim Blues chief Hiddink admits his vice captain doesn’t quite match the Englishman’s level of vocal encouragement but certainly isn’t lacking in leadership qualities.
“It’s part of his job and he does very well,” Hiddink said of Ivanovic’s headed winner at Southampton. “We organise our corners and execute them during the week.
“Of course, it’s different doing it in games to doing it during the week but he’s doing it many times and he’s very courageous. You also have to have very good timing in the execution.
Southampton 1-2 Chelsea in pictures:
“He’s not a big shouter but he gives short commands and that’s what I like very much as a manager but what we do in training and in team meetings I want to have executed by my key players.”
At first glance, Chelsea appear to have few natural leaders in the mould of the likes of Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack from years gone by.
However, Hiddink is keen to stress that the Blues are not short of talkers on the pitch - even without the talismanic Terry.
“I’m happy that players like Fabregas but also Oscar, who didn’t play but came in, are doing their jobs,” he added.
“It’s good to see that players step up, not just in their personal performance but also in terms of organising themselves tactically.
“Azpilicueta does a lot also in the coaching. Diego, in his way, does a lot of coaching. I like also Oscar, Willian, by nature they take on responsibility.”
Terry is unlikely to be fit to face Norwich City on Tuesday and is racing to be in contention for the PSG second leg.
Read more: Five things we learned from Chelsea's 2-1 win over the Saints.
