Hiddink on Hazard, Conte, Chelsea youngsters and what he plans to do next
On Antonio Conte
“It is the choice of the club and I think when you look at his record he made a good spell in Juventus getting the title in Italy so it is always good because this club is always keen to play for wins and titles. It is always a big job regardless the circumstances where Chelsea have been in this year
But he is equipped and able and he is used to getting the pressure which is always on big clubs to get titles. He was presented on Monday and also requested if he could come and meet and shake hands with the players. I didn’t have any obstruction to that so we met very briefly and that was the Tuesday.”
On advice for the new manager regarding Eden Hazard
“It is rather easy to answer for me because I am not responsible for next year’s spell so you have to ask the people who are in charge. It is not good for me to go into too much of looking into the future and whatever the philosophy and strategy might be of the next directors and management team.”
On John Terry
“If I have something to say and like to express my thoughts and feelings then I will do it directly.”
On injuries
“The news is that we have a few injured players. So we will bring in some youngsters. John Terry is not available still – a little bit of. A problem with his Achilles like last week. He is not available.
“He was on the pitch making his exercise but is not fully recovered. Costa is out. Hazard is still out, Matic is out and Remy will be out. But nevertheless we will bring some youngsters in as we did last week.”
On playing for pride
“We said before the last game that when you play as a player in a big club, although not at the level the club is used to being in the last years, then pride comes in.
“They have not got just an obligation to perform but when you are at a big club you must play with a lot of pride which they did in the last game as well and before which I cannot complain about.”
On his future
“I am not the youngest although I love to be on the pitch with a lot o energy every day with the young guys and with the guys who are established in international football. But also with the guys who are knocking on the door – the guys from the academy. That is always an interesting challenge to see where the guys go and I try to help them out.
“I will not do anything on a daily basis. I said that a few years ago but I cannot say categorically no. Until you get a signal from the staff and the players ‘hey old man get off the pitch’ but I don’t feel that at this moment.”
On Loic Remy
“I don’t know when he will be recovered but it is as groin problem. It will last. I don’t know exactly but when you have that problem you cannot train properly there are only a few games left. It is difficult.”
On Gary Cahill
We will do a test whether he is fit to play. Also a bit of tendon in the hip so we have to see. He practised yesterday so we will see what his reaction is.
On Nemanja Matic
“He might be available next weekend. I am not sure about that.”
On attracting players
“It depends on the project. If you can provide the players a plan for next season and and the season after that then season then can be a lot of attraction for players to go on that road. The CV of a manager can also attract player.”
On staying unbeaten and blooding youngsters
“It is not because I like to be unbeaten, it the conscience if you win then you remain unbeaten. It is not the record that I am personally chasing. I prefer bringing in some young players with more risk of losing I want to get youngsters some experience in the Premier League. I prefer that than having an unbeaten record.”
