Hiddink meets players and gives first interview
By dixon9
February 12 2009
Guus Hiddink arrived at Cobham to meet his new Chelsea squad for the first time today. After looking over the facilities, speaking to coaches Wilkins and Clement and observing training, the Dutchman gave his first interview to Chelsea TV.
Combining Chelsea and Russia jobs
"It is rather difficult because the Premier League is very challenging. We can do it now because there are one or two games until June with the national team of Russia. That is why we said we can do it now, and we can do it full-hearted and committed.
“Everyone knows the relation between Chelsea and the Russian Football Federation, and the academy of development of young players all over the country is significant.
“I was asked to come because of the relation with Roman Abramovich as well. Of course it is a big club as well, and let me be honest, I came because they asked me to join the club for the upcoming time."
The Premier League title race
"We are in several races; the FA Cup is there, the Champions League and also the league,"
"There is a 10-point difference but if you look in the past of this league and other leagues as well, some things can happen during the final stages of the championship.
The Cups
"All the three roads are very important. The next game against Watford, and then Aston Villa and Juventus, and then you go on the path of the Champions League, and that is so attractive.
“The club has the experience to go to the final. I have to live, as soon as possible, in the depth of the club, but I just recently talked to the players for a few minutes in the dressing room this afternoon. I am not just here to add to my experience with the club and Premier League, but also I want to see these results as soon as possible.
Approach to players
"The players are very committed, I have seen the training session, but sometimes you can have a little bit different approach to get even more efficiency out of the players.
“That is where I am aiming at and if you add those individuals together and make a team, then everyone can bring a little bit more. Not just in commitment. It is too easy to talk commitment because everyone has an obligation to be committed, but in the tactical and the strategic approach during the game. We might gain some profit."
Formations
"I see what is available, I see what suits and I see the culture and what is demanded. I am not thinking that rigidly, whether you play with 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 or whatever is mentioned.
"Those are figures, it is very important what they do as a team when we have possession and when we have none, that is even more important."
The future
"I have seen it here now and I felt the atmosphere already in a few hours, but what happens after May is clear because it is rather difficult to do the two jobs, and I have my obligations in Russia.”.
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