Alex excited by Guus Hiddink arrival at Chelsea

12 February 2009 11:55
Alex, 26, spent two years under Hiddink in Holland with PSV Eindhoven, and in that time the coach led the Dutch club to two Eridivisie titles, in 2005 and 2006, the KNVB Cup, in 2005, and narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the Champions League - against Liverpool - in 2005. [LNB]Hiddink's CV is beyond question and Alex, speaking on Chelseafc.com, believes, from personal experience, that the 62-year-old also possesses the personal touch. [LNB]'In my three years in Holland, two of them were with Guus Hiddink and we won the title both times and the double once, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in my first year,' said Alex, a man nicknamed 'The Tank' and remembered for his tears when PSV lost to Milan on the away goals rule. [LNB]Alex began his career with Santos and was signed by Chelsea in 2004 on the recommendation of PSV and Chelsea scout Piet de Visser.[LNB]However, because of potential problems in attaining a work permit, he was loaned out to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, where he got to know Hiddink well. [LNB]'He is a good coach and a fantastic man,' he added. 'When I played in Brazil, with Santos, I remember he came all the way to watch my games and speak with me, he is a very good man.' [LNB]Chelsea's formation has changed over recent seasons. Most recently, Scolari tended to switch between 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3, and so the players, according to Alex, can expect little change in the system. [LNB]'I think he would play a similar system here to what we have seen, he added. 'When I was at PSV we played a 4-3-3 system - we had some very exciting times there.' [LNB]Hiddink can still lead Chelsea to three trophies. On Saturday they travel to Watford - and former reserve coach Brendan Rodgers - in the fifth round of the FA Cup, before returning to Premier League action against third placed Aston Villa, at Villa Park. [LNB]And then Hiddink has the chance to experience the Champions League again when Chelsea entertain Juventus, and a former manager in Claudio Ranieri, at Stamford Bridge on Feb 25. [LNB]With Ricardo Carvalho troubled by a hamstring problem, Alex has had an extended run in the Chelsea defence, and has dismissed claims that he wanted to leave, rumours that circulated earlier this season. [LNB]The arrival of Hiddink is likely to cement his determination to make that berth his own. [LNB]'Obviously as a player you always want to be playing and I was on the bench. I mentioned that I wasn't very happy because I was on the bench but I never said I wanted to leave,' he added. [LNB]'People perceived that because I wasn't happy that I wanted to leave but that was not the case. When you are not playing you can feel a bit down, but at the moment I am playing well and will continue to do so. [LNB]'The most important thing is to keep working hard because if you find yourself on the bench and your coach needs you, you have to be ready.'[LNB]

Source: Telegraph