Chelsea players have ‘obligation’ to perform – Hiddink

Guus Hiddink has told Chelsea’s players have a duty to give their all for the rest of the season even though their hopes of a trophy have ended.

A top-four finish looks to be beyond the Blues, while Saturday’s FA Cup defeat at Everton came after a midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain.

Hiddink, in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the campaign, said: “It is a pity. The players like to win.

“But when you play for a big club you must play with responsibility and pride when the season is as it is now, and we will stipulate that.

“We have to go on with pride for the club. We have the obligation to do so and we will emphasise that to the players.”

Hiddink insisted he did not see an incident that led to Diego Costa being sent off following a clash with Gareth Barry, after which footage showed the Chelsea striker appearing to bite the Everton player.

Costa subsequently denied biting Barry, who was himself sent off during the match for a second bookable offence.