Asked if Guardiola would fit in at Chelsea, Hiddink said: “He would fit in in any big team in the world”. Fourth place in the Premier League is hard, but then there are two targets left of which one is the FA Cup.
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Terry was an unused substitute as the Premier League champions beat their League One opponents 2-0 to reach the fourth round. I think both players care about their form and how the team is doing, Costa has started to score again and Oscar has been Chelsea’s best player in their last three games.
Then Loftus-Cheek stepped up in the 68th minute after coming on at half-time for Oscar.
Hiddink was keen to stress that he does not believe either player was underperforming for Mourinho, but the Dutchman feels the pair are understanding they have to give more to the team.
However, the manager knows he has to rest some players and this means giving some new legs the chance to play especially in the striker position where he is lacking options at the moment due to some piling injuries to the squad.
“And when you play with two controlling midfield players and one high in midfield he can do that”.
“But it’s important he also has a hard-working role”.
“When you have to push people, then the motivation is too low. We accept that but we want to go out there and do ourselves proud”. I don’t want to put more pressure on that, it’s for the management or directors or owners to decide.
“There was also a problem – not a big problem – with Azpi”, Hiddink added.
Matic was struck in the back of the head by a ball, and has remained dazed ever since – so Chelsea refused to risk him.
Speaking ahead of the match, Hiddink revealed that Chelsea are yet without Hazard, Remy and Falcao but that wouldn’t be an issue.
The League One club’s manager hailed his side’s resolve in accepting Chelsea ultimately merited victory.
“It’ll be very hard, we’re under no illusions”.
The two Blues stars were involved in a training ground bust-up on Thursday, with Hiddink confirming they buried the hatchet soon afterwards.
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“But I’m proud of the lads”. The League Two side have endured a poor season so far, however, with just 32 points from 25 games and 15th in the table to show for their efforts so far.
