Chelsea are getting better and better, declares Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic believes Chelsea are hitting top form at the most important stage of the season ahead of the Blues’ trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

The west Londoners booked their place in the Europa League final on Thursday night with a 5-2 aggregate triumph over Basel at Stamford Bridge to set up a clash against Benfica in Amsterdam on 15 May.

Chelsea are currently in third place in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to book their place in next season’s Champions League.

And 29-year-old defender Ivanovic feels the Blues are in good shape ahead of their crunch match against the recently-crowned champions.

“Our performances are getting better with every game, we now have three difficult matches coming up before the final,” Ivanovic told Chelsea’s website.

“All season we have been under pressure, we can’t relax for one game. We have to prepare for the next match, which is Manchester United away.

“It’s always difficult, they are champions and they are playing at home, but we need the points for the Champions League. After that we play Tottenham, which is huge for us and we have to be ready.

“We have to get points from the next two games to secure it [Champions League qualification], and then it will be much easier to prepare for the final.”