Guus Hiddink admits Chelsea are likely to fall short in their bid to catch Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Hiddink’s side are seven points behind United and have played a game more than the reigning champions.

The Blues can close the gap to four points with a win at Portsmouth on Tuesday, but United will reestablish the advantage if they beat Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

United’s ability to grind out narrow wins this season continued on Sunday as they won the League Cup final against Tottenham on penalties and Hiddink concedes it would be extremely surprising if they squandered such a big advantage.

“I am not naive. They have a very good squad, but as long as there is a possibility, you never know. However, realistically, it will be difficult,” Hiddink, speaking at a press conference on Monday, said.

“I like a team that does not give up. I liked the way the team reacted against Wigan after we conceded the goal, and that is just like I see the championship as well. We have to go as long as it is possible.

“We have the ambition to go and be at the top in the end of the May, so we have to stop them.

“They have always been classical clashes between two powerhouses, but let’s make a few steps first.”

Hiddink Admits ´We Will Struggle To Catch United´ … read more »

Michale Ballack wants Guus Hiddink to remain Chelsea boss on a long-term basis. German midfielder Ballack believes the former PSV Eindhoven supremo could be persuaded to stay in west London if the Blues win silverware this season.

He said: “It’s always good for a team if you have consistency. At the moment, the situation is clear – the coach has a contract with Russia and everyone respects this. But in football a lot of things are possible. If we have success with him, maybe he’ll want to stay”.

“We are happy with him. We hope he can stay longer with us but it’s his decision.”

Frank Lampard’s added-time winner ensured manager Guus Hiddink marked his first home league game with a victory and lifted Chelsea above Liverpool into second spot in the Premier League.

Hiddink had steered his new side to victories over Aston Villa and Juventus since succeeding Luiz Felipe Scolari on a temporary basis, but his winning run appeared set to end when Olivier Kapo’s 81st minute effort cancelled out John Terry’s 25th minute opening goal.

But as so often during a troubled season, it was Lampard who came to his side’s rescue, heading home from close range in the 91st minute to move Chelsea to within seven points of leaders Manchester United and maintain their slender hopes in the title race.

Hiddink had criticised his new players after the midweek Champions League victory over Juventus, accusing them of sitting too deep and failing to capitalise on Didier Drogba’s first half goal.

And it appeared as though his words had fallen on deaf ears as Steve Bruce’s visiting side fought back in a bid to press their own hopes of qualifying for a place in next season’s UEFA Cup.

But Hiddink’s impact at Stamford Bridge has already been felt and a third successive win under the new manager strengthened belief that there is much more to come from the London club during the final weeks of the campaign.

Last-gasp Lamps Keeps Chelsea On Upward Curve … read more »

Guus Hiddink’s insistence that his Chelsea side have no margin for error if they are to salvage something from a chaotic season will once again provide a challenging benchmark as Wigan Athletic visit Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Two wins in his first two games in charge has given the temporary manager the start he demanded after agreeing to combine his duties with the Russian national team until the end of the current campaign.

Hiddink, though, is renowned as an unforgiving taskmaster and, having praised his new players’ efforts in securing a vital 1-0 Premier League victory at Aston Villa last weekend, his mood was far less upbeat in the wake of the midweek Champions League victory over Juventus.

The rejuvenated Didier Drogba ensured Chelsea travel to Turin for the second leg with a single-goal advantage, but his manager was quick to condemn the side’s failure to establish a more commanding lead and criticised the fitness levels of the squad he inherited from Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Hiddink has, nonetheless, injected a timely boost of optimism into the west London club at a time when it appeared they were in danger of falling out of the top four of the Premier League and looking wholly incapable of progressing in Europe.

Crucially, he also appears to have rekindled Drogba’s desire and willingness to contribute after a torrid few months for the Ivorian.

Hiddink Aiming To Keep Chelsea Honeymoon Going … read more »

Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba has been singled out by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink as one the key factors behind the Premier League team’s resurgence.

Drogba had been frozen out at Stamford Bridge by former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but was restored to the side immediately after the former Brazil coach was sacked earlier this month.

And, after impressing in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa last weekend, Drogba confirmed his return from exile by scoring the only goal of the game in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Juventus.

Prior to Hiddink’s arrival, doubts had been expressed about Drogba’s commitment to the Blues, with the forward being linked with a move away, particularly to former club Marseille.

But Hiddink insists the player has been anything but a disruptive influence and believes Drogba is contributing as much off the pitch as he is on it.

“I knew about Didier because of his performances in the World Cup and other tournaments, but I didn’t know him personally,” Hiddink said. “But I’m very positive about his contribution.

“On the pitch he is fighting for every ball so the other ones can take advantage of that. And besides that he got his goal.

“Off the pitch he is a great example in the dressing room to make the team strong. So he is not just for himself, he is very committed with the rest of the team as well. So I cannot find one detail that’s not okay.

Drogba Hailed For Key Role In Chelsea´s Revival … read more »