‘Top four still possible for Chelsea’

GUUS HIDDINK (pix) believes it is still possible for Chelsea to finish in the Premier League’s top four as he embarks on a second stint as interim manager at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Dutchman is under no illusions about the task he faces having answered Chelsea’s distress call in the wake of the decision to sack Jose Mourinho last week.

“Mathematically it is possible,” a relaxed Hiddink, who proved highly popular in 2009 when he took over from sacked Brazilian Luis Felipe Scolari, told reporters at his news conference at the club’s training base.

“If you can add up then it is possible but this league is very strong, which has been especially proven this year with all respect to the clubs at the top – Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Watford… it is amazing and refreshing.

“It means that all the teams can kill each other.”

Chelsea are in 15th place, having lost nine of their opening 17 Premier League games, 10 points behind seventh-placed Watford whom they host tomorrow at the start of a hectic Christmas schedule that also includes a clash with Manchester United.

They are 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

His return to Stamford Bridge was a surprise but that results had forced the club’s owners to make a decision.

“I shouldn’t be here halfway through the season. It means things are not going well. But anyhow, I am glad to be back. It is a few years ago I was here in a similar situation,” he said. – Reuters