Guus Hiddink has just finished his first interview for Chelsea as interim manager in his second spell as his side prepares for a tough test against Watford at Stamford bridge on boxing day.
Watford are currently sitting above Chelsea in the table and look full of confidence after a 3-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Vicorage road.
There have been many reports during the week saying that the board have asked Hiddink to start trusting the youth players.
The Dutch manager took charge of his first training session yesterday and here is what he’s said today.
On being back…
I shouldn’t be here half way in the season, but things aren’t going well. Anyhow, I’m glad to be back. I’m glad to be here and to work with the players is always a pleasure. It was frightening for everyone at the club to see Chelsea so close to the relegation zone.
It’s not easy to fix. Sometimes after a championship you relax and get a wake-up call. We cannot ignore what has happened in the past but I have asked the players to give their best and look forward now.
On underperforming players…
I spoke fully to the squad yesterday, about why I’m here. I want the players to look in mirror and ask how they can help. If you don’t have a desire to play, then please knock on my door and we will talk… briefly.
I saw the game on Saturday and they were playing like they enjoyed it very much. Sometimes they even went a bit over the top.
On Drogba returning and new signings…
I worked with Drogba six years ago and I was delighted to have such a pro in the squad. He’s a legend.
Let’s go into the next few games and we’ll see about signing players in January.
On where Chelsea can finish…
No manager can guarantee results every week, but we have to show to ourselves and the fans that the team has desire. Mathematically I can get this team into the top 4, but the PL is a very strong league. All the teams, they can kill each other in the PL. The league has changed since I was last here.
