What Hiddink Has Brought Chelsea

It’s been about three months since the sacking of Jose Mourinho and it’s time to take stock of what has changed.

First, and foremost, stability has worked its way back into the dressing room, and the biggest issue that Hiddink has tackled is the low confidence. Attacking is fluid, passes are completed, and the team look motivated - none of which were true under the Portugese’s management.

He has also unlocked potential in players that would have lain dormant the entire season under Jose, and he has made a strong case for John Obi Mikel to stay a Chelsea player next year. With Hiddink’s approach Chelsea are playing to maintain their status as a European super-club, and he has done that by taking the challenges one game at a time.

There is no pressure on him, and as a result, there is no need for him to put pressure on the players. He manages a talented squad and knows that they are capable of putting on a terrific display, provided all the right gears are in the right rhythm.

Balance and stability are the forerunning issues that had to be conquered, confidence as well, but most surprisingly he has shown that the superstars of the squad are not the headliners of the past few seasons but the men that have been in the shadows.

Diego Costa, Willian, Mikel, and even Ivanovic in a central defensive position have all shone under the Dutchman’s reign. Kenedy, Bertrand Traoré, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have had their moments as well, and it’s hard to imagine Mourinho giving those fringe players any playing time.

Eden Hazard, Oscar, and Matic were the darlings of Jose but Guus doesn’t seem to see what all the fuss is about. He did the unthinkable replacing Nemanja Matic, who according to Yahoo! Sport’s mid-season player ranking last year was the #1 best player in the league on that title-winning run. And to think Mikel was on the brink of a transfer to Turkey this summer- he looks undroppable now.

While there is no pressure on Hiddink to fear for his job, he has not taken the responsibility lightly and still demands more from the players. The 2-1 win at Norwich left him less than pleased, and he showed his displeasure. While it’s a transitory period for the Dutchman, the players are vying for their careers at Chelsea, and beyond.

Nine wins, six draws, and one loss is more than Jose could boast about, and the numbers don’t lie- Hiddink has had a considerable impact. Another intriguing number is Chelsea’s position in the table at tenth, lightyears ahead of where Jose Mourinho left them languishing.

Under the guidance of Guus, the only way is up.