Branislav Ivanovic has accepted head coach Antonio Conte's decision to drop him to the bench for Chelsea's 2-0 win over Hull City on Saturday, and says he will always put the team's interests ahead of his own and be prepared to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
Ivanovic made way for deadline-day signing Marcos Alonso as Conte shifted to a 3-4-3 formation at the KCOM Stadium, with Cesar Azpilicueta picked to fill in at centre-back alongside Gary Cahill and David Luiz.
Chelsea responded by keeping only their second clean sheet of the season, leading many to suggest that Ivanovic -- who has been widely criticised by media and supporters for a nightmare run of form in the last 18 months -- could face a serious battle to win back his place.
But speaking to media in his native Serbia, the 32-year-old was philosophical about his situation. "I was maximum ready and healthy for the match with Hull, but I never got the chance," he told Blic. "I'll always put myself below the interests of the team, be that national side or club.
"When the team is successful and when they win, it's quickly forgotten when you make mistakes. It's been a while since I was a backup, but I do not mind. I'll sit on the bench whenever the coach decides, and not for the first time in these eight years at Chelsea.
"I think that the status of players cannot be concluded on the basis of an unplayed 90 minutes. Today's football means that every day you have to fight and prove yourself."
Ivanovic has played more minutes for Chelsea since earning his first-team place under Carlo Ancelotti than any other player, and the last Blues boss to drop him for reasons other than fitness was Andre Villas-Boas.
Losing his place comes at a bad time for Ivanovic, who is seeking an extension to his current contract that expires next summer, but the 32-year-old insists he is ready to work to convince Conte that he remains important to the team.
"There is no past, no future, only the present," he added. "It is normal to be on the bench, especially in clubs that over and over again are going step further.
"Two seasons ago we won the championship, and last season was very difficult for all at Chelsea, toughest season in the last decade. It's a challenge for us to get back on track. We started correctly, but it could have been much better.
"I think that the people at the club will have something to look forward to at the end of the season."