Source: SKY_Sports
Blues duo hail Hiddink effect
John Terry and Ashley Cole have praised manager Guus Hiddink for turning around Chelsea's season.
The Dutchman will return to his role as full-time Russia boss at the end of the current campaign, having agreed to take charge on a short-term deal in February.
The Blues had been struggling when Hiddink was appointed but they have since secured UEFA Champions League qualification for next term and advanced to the FA Cup final.
A number of Chelsea players have stated they would like Hiddink to remain at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis, and he was given a superb reception by fans during Sunday's 2-0 victory over Blackburn.
Terry said: "On behalf of all the lads, I want to say that whatever happens with the manager now, he has been brilliant since he came.
"He has brought experience, enthusiasm and he has made sure people are on their game every day in training."
Ashley Cole echoed his captain's sentiments and saluted Hiddink for instilling a different attitude into the players.
"In the months he has been here, he has shown a lot of fight and desire. We all fight for him," said the left-back.
"Hopefully he will stay, but I doubt it. It is out of our hands.
"We are all now looking forwards to the FA Cup final and hopefully we can win him a medal.
"Guus has come in and has changed the way we want to play and how we think.
"It is a little bit different from when (Luiz Felipe) Scolari was here. We lost a few games and our heads went down but I do not think that was down to the manager because we are out there and it was our fault we were not getting results, nothing to do with the manager.
"Hiddink has come in now and we enjoy having him around.
"We all want to give 100 per cent for him. He is like one of the lads."
Cole accepts there is still a lingering sense of dismay around the camp following their dramatic UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.
He said: "We are still disappointed we are out of the Champions League. We thought we had a great chance this year.
"Hopefully the FA Cup will see the end to a decent season but, for a club like this, we have to win silverware and the FA Cup is a great way to do it."
