Hiddink hopeful of Blues recovery

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink insists the club can still win the Barclays Premier League title at the end of the season.

Hiddink, who arrived at the club's Cobham training ground to meet the first-team squad today, also believes Chelsea have all the experience to reach the final of the Champions League.

Hiddink has taken on the job of coaching Chelsea until the end of the season following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday.

The Russia boss will combine his international job with club duties at Stamford Bridge and although Manchester United could be 10 points clear of the Blues if they beat Fulham next week, Hiddink refuses to concede the title just yet.

"They are in several races, the FA Cup is there, the Champions League and also the league," Hiddink told Chelsea TV.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"I worked several years with Alex (at PSV) but I know the players of Chelsea and other clubs as well, I know almost all of the players.

"To be honest I don't know the players from the academy and I see them participating already with the first team which is good. I have to know them better, how they play etc, but generally speaking I know the players."

Hiddink only agreed to take on the job because of his close friendship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

But despite the speculation that he might want to remain in the post after the summer, Hiddink insists he has every intention of returning to get Russia to the 2010 World Cup finals.

"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," said Hiddink.

"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."

Hiddink also insists he has no fixed ideas about which system his Chelsea team will play.

Former boss Scolari was criticised for rigidly sticking to his 4-3-3 formation but Hiddink added: "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."