Hiddink tells Chelsea players to ‘look in the mirror’

LONDON: New Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink has asked his underperforming players to “look in the mirror” and claims their future at the club is at risk if they don’t improve their game.

The Dutchman has replaced Jose Mourinho but confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday it is only likely to be a short-term role.

He arrives with Chelsea struggling in the 15th spot in the Premier League and supporters unhappy with players for their perceived failure to work for their predecessor.

Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard bore the brunt of criticism, but Hiddink’s message to them was a clear one. “I spoke fully to the squad and, of course, we talked a bit about the past and the reasons why we are down,” he said. “But, on the other hand, I told them things happen in football and I want everyone to look in the mirror, not just for two seconds, but longer,” he added.

He said they couldn’t ignore what had happened in the recent past, but I asked them to give the best for the team.  “There must be a great desire to play. If you don’t have that desire, please knock on my door and we’ll talk,” he said.

Hiddink is reprising the role he took in 2009, a season where he helped Chelsea win the FA Cup. “I shouldn’t be here, halfway into the season,” the 69-year-old said as he gets ready for his first game in charge at home to Watford on Boxing Day. “That means things are not going as well as foreseen at the beginning of the season. It’s a few years ago that I was here in a similar situation and tried to help out when I was asked to do so,” he added.

He stated no manager could guarantee three points every week, but we had to show to ourselves, the club, the players, the fans inside Chelsea and abroad, that the team had a big desire to wash away the last half year and go up to the next coming games.

Hiddink has refused to rule out a return to the club for former player Didier Drogba who was in the stands alongside him for the 3-1 win over Sunderland last week. “I worked with him five or six years ago and was delighted to have such a professional in the squad,” he said. “I spoke with him openly from the bottom of the heart that such impact players can be huge for the club, but it’s others who have to deal with it and not me.”