Chelsea, who romped to the title last season eight points clear at the top, are 14th in the table after 21 games, six points above the relegation zone.
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Hiddink, who previously managed Chelsea when he steered them to an FA Cup final victory over Everton in 2009, is now in his second temporary spell in charge at Stamford Bridge and will be replaced at the end of the campaign, but as things stand his players are responding to his methods.
“Of course we all like to look forward and to the top of the table but also don’t be unrealistic, you are six points off the line of relegation, that is also a fact”. We were down when we started, we were one point off the relegation line. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Everton on 16 January, he was quoted as saying by The Mirror: “No [we don’t want Pato]”.
“That is why it was a pity that in 86 minutes we got this draw against West Brom which would have helped us a lot in going up. If you don’t gather those points, the Premier League can surprise you”.
Costa is clearly Chelsea’s first-choice striker, with little competition from Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao due to their struggles for form and fitness.
Meanwhile, both Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion were charged by the English Football Association on Friday with failing to control their players in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw.
“Eden Hazard is still out, although he is on the pitch working”.
‘He said to me “you haven’t seen me yet”, which was a handsome remark I think’.
The 25-year-old could make his comeback against Arsenal on January 24.
“It is a risk, a bit, but you must give young British players or from overseas a chance”. I’d prefer to do that in the winter period than bringing in certain names.
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“If not it is not worth having an academy”.
