Hiddink on Terry, Conte, Stoke, West Ham, Pato and ‘putting a leash’ on Costa
Guus Hiddink was asked about a number of issues at Friday’s news conference ahead of the game against Stoke. Here’s a round-up of what the Chelsea interim boss had to say.
On the fitness of John Terry and Pedro
“John is with the physio, but he’s also training. He’s not fit to start this weekend. We’ll see how it will go on Wednesday. He’s not with the group yet. Pedro is the same, he didn’t practice with the group. He is on treatment but also running and exercising on the pitch.”
On the chances of Terry playing against Paris St-Germain
“With this kind of injury, we have to have rather intense training before [he can play]. It’s too much of a risk if he has to come off the bench. It depends how he is in training on late Monday. I will not take any risks with him.”
On the chances of making the top four
“It’s possible. But others are knocking on the door, like West Ham. There are more candidates for this fourth position. Stoke are close as well. So even more now the need from our side the serious approach.”
On reports Roman Abramovich told players Antonio Conte will take over
“To my knowledge, I don’t know. But I don’t think so.”
On Chelsea’s improved form
“The players responded rather well when I came in. I set the question to everyone – what was your contribution in the year of the championship? What was your contribution in the last half-year? I said ‘Don’t give me an answer in words, but give me an answer in training and the upcoming games.’ And I think they responded.
“They took their responsibility and we started to get some results, [first] with draws and later on with victories. The players responded on our demands and requirements.”
On why he is not being considered for the job permanently
“I am here for a short period, that’s how we started. Maybe transition is too big a word, but I think the club also has to go into a new era where it’s not focused on short spells. I think now we have to go into a new era of Chelsea, which is more than just one or two years.”
On whether he might rest Diego Costa
“It’s difficult to put a brake on him. Maybe he will not have a full game [against Stoke]. We monitor the players with the data of the medical staff and the physiologists and I can make some conclusions, which is that he is in perfect physical shape. But also we must be careful not to give him an overload in games. He’s difficult to stop, he wants to play every game.
“We are living in an emotional world but sometimes you can be rational as well. I talk with him about his physical state, which is superb. But also there’s always a danger of going over [the limit]. If I share the figures with him, then he can be rational as well. We must let him go, but sometimes I have to put on the leash.”
On whether he will rotate the squad against Stoke
“We did, in the previous games, some changes with the youngsters, which is okay. Of course we have in mind the upcoming two games, on Wednesday [against PSG] and Saturday [at Everton in the FA Cup], but we take all Premier League games very seriously and we will have the same approach.
“We will not allow ourselves to make this, let’s say, a pre-game for Wednesday’s game. It’s not good for the team – they must go and stay in the dynamic of the last few weeks. I think if you put your focus too far away, it’s not good. We focused before Norwich, we did before Southampton.”
On Willian
“He’s playing consistently well. Also physically he’s in great shape and he recovers very well after the intensity of a game. Every now and then, even with him, you have to say ‘I rest you one game’, as we did partly at Norwich. But he likes to play, he likes to train every day.
“It’s also beautiful in my eye to see him playing. It’s not enough for this club to see him playing in a nice way but also to give efficiency, which he’s doing.”
