Hiddink hints at changes for Stoke game

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink has hinted he is set to make changes for his side’s Premier League clash with Stoke City this weekend, with their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday.

Despite suggesting youngsters would feature against Stoke, Hiddink stressed that he wouldn’t be treating it as a ‘pre-game’ for the match against Laurent Blanc’s men, where they trail 2-1 after the first leg in Paris.

Hiddink also confirmed that captain John Terry remains injured, but is stepping up his training and did not rule him out of next week’s fixtures.

Meanwhile, the Dutchman admitted that sometimes striker Diego Costa must be put on a leash, but praised his current physical condition.

GUUS HIDDINK

“No he’s with the physio but he’s also training. He’s not fit to start this weekend. We’ll see how he will go on Wednesday. He’s not with the group yet. Pedro is the same. He is on treatment but is also running and exercising on the pitch.

“In the previous games we made some changes with the youngsters which is okay. Of course, we have in mind the upcoming two games but I think we take all Premier League games very seriously and we will have the same approach for this game as well. We are not in the same situation and not allow ourselves to make this a pre-game for Wednesday’s game. It’s not good for the team. They must stay in the same dynamic of the last few weeks.

“I heard a bit, not details but I think it’s more a brainstorm session of the elite clubs about this. In general, I don’t know the details. I think we must be careful to go into exclusivity when teams like Leicester are mixing in. They have the full right to be recognised where they are now. They are also good competitors for next season’s Champions League.

“Well I think the players responded rather well when I came in and I said to everyone what is their contribution in the year of the championship, what was their contribution this season. Don’t give me an answer now, give me an answer in training and in the upcoming games. I think they responded. They took the responsibility and they started to get some results. That’s important.

“I said I am here for a short period. That’s how we started. Transition is too big a word but the club has to go into a new era. It’s not for short spells. A new era for Chelsea is needed which is a manager longer than one or two years.

“It’s difficult to put a break on him. Maybe during the game he won’t have a full game. Of course we monitor them with the data from the medical team which allows me to make conclusions. He is in perfect physical shape. He is difficult to stop. He wants to play every game but I must be careful with that.

“Sometimes you can be rational as well. I talked to him about his physical state which is superb. There is always a danger of going over. He can be rational too. We must let him go but sometimes I have to put him on a leash.”

Report by Reuters/OmniSport