Hiddink insists Chelsea can make top 4

Guus Hiddink still believes Chelsea can make it into the top four.
That’s despite the defending Premier League champions being a whopping 12 points behind Tottenham before they kicked off against Everton yesterday.

Chelsea’s 3-0 hammering of London rivals Crystal Palace appeared to signal a drastic return to form for Hiddink’s side who have been woeful for the vast majority of the season.
But the win has been a breath of fresh air for Chelsea’s season and with 18 games to go, Hiddink isn’t ruling it out.

Hiddink told the BBC: “Do not go over the top it is the first win after a worrying period with two draws so the team desperately needed the win and it was convincing.
“Everyone knows we have a lot of quality in our team, but sometimes champions have a tendency to be complacent and it can be difficult to get back and then wonder why we were champions.

“There is a long way to go, mathematically the possibility of Champions League is still there.
“The league is so strong but as long as we play like we did today I will be happy.”

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The Chelsea coach Guss Hiddink praised Super Eagles midfielder Obi Mikel for helping the team regain balance during their victory over Palace.
Mikel was the only player on either side to gain more possession of the ball and found a team-mate with 78 of his 82 passes.

“He played very well but also in the previous game,” Hiddink told Skysports. “He’s the ideal player in my opinion to bring balance to the team. If the team is not willing to defend well, or hasn’t got the right balance, then you’ll concede a lot of goals. I think John Obi can be one of the key figures in bringing back that balance.

Both Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said Fabregas “ran the show” but Graeme Souness preferred to focus on Mikel’s contribution. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen John Obi Mikel play so well,” said Souness. “He bossed that area.”

Mikel is a veteran of Hiddink’s previous spell as manager in 2009 where he started 16 of the Dutchman’s 23 matches in charge. Chelsea won 14 of them, including the FA Cup final, and drew the other two. As a result, Mikel remains unbeaten under Hiddink.

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