28th December, 2015
Interim manager of Chelsea FC, Guus Hiddink said his return to Stamford Bridge is to ensure that the embattled current English champions survive tough fixtures between now and the end of the season.
The Dutch coach said fixtures such as Chelsea versus Manchester United at Old Trafford, makes him glad he chose to return to Stamford Bridge.
He said he is no stranger to the big occasion having managed at the highest level for many years, but he still relishes pitting his wits against the top clubs.
“When I was asked to return I could have said I wanted to relax at home, I had plans to go on holiday, but my partner looked into my eyes when I got the call and said we’re not going on holiday, we’re going to London, which means I had the feeling I could contribute something,” Hiddink told Chelsea’s website early on Monday.
“For me, when I literally feel the thrill in my stomach, I say okay, step forward and that was the case.
“It’s always nice to be involved in intense games, as it was on Saturday and as it will be again tonight.”
Chelsea played a 2-2 draw against Watford on Saturday, and with Diego Costa, who scored a brace against the Hornets, suspended for the trip to Old Trafford after picking up a fifth booking of the campaign, Hiddink has only one out-and-out striker – Loic Remy – available for selection, and he provided an update on the fitness of Falcao.
“He’s training with us at the moment but there is a difference between being fit and getting fit,” he said.
“I talked to him and said he needs to get into the intensity of training over a longer period. We have to see him for a longer period in more intense sessions and then we can see what he’s capable of.”
Another player who has just returned from injury, Eden Hazard, should be available to play against Manchester United having come on as a second-half substitute at the weekend.
“The Belgian winger had missed our 3-1 win over Sunderland due to the injury which saw him leave the pitch at Leicester in some discomfort.
“We sent him away for a holiday for a few days because of his injury but he came back and trained with us,” explained the former PSV manager, who took the Blues to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and won 2009 FA Cup for the team.
“He’s not at top fitness yet but he’s fresh in his mind and that’s important. He needs training and games but I don’t see any problem.
“I want to use my eyes and experience to see how they manage on the training pitch, you can see that easily. Everyone has his chance.”