Long-term Blues stay Bridge too far for Hiddink

GUUS HIDDINK has underlined his intention to honour the terms of his initial agreement with Chelsea and leave the club at the end of the season — regardless of any success he might have in the meantime.

The fine start to his temporary stint at Stamford Bridge, encompassing a sequence of victories only ended by the midweek Champions League draw with Juventus — a result good enough to see them into the next round — has led to a clamour for the Blues to extend their partnership with the Dutchman to next term and beyond.

Senior stars Petr Cech and Michael Ballack have this week joined that chorus, insisting they would welcome a permanent deal.

But Hiddink himself has frequently stressed the importance of his role with Russia, a job he intends to continue in a full-time capacity at the end of his Chelsea contract.

Jokingly referring to the comments of his goalkeeper and midfield playmaker, Hiddink said: “They might change their minds about me when I put them on the bench or not even in the squad.

“But there is a good atmosphere of work here and we are very demanding of each other. If they are happy with the way we are working and it’s going well with results it’s all okay.

“But I made it very clear a few weeks ago — and again recently — what the future will be (for me) after May 30. I don’t have to do that again.”

Hiddink’s side take on Manchester City tomorrow while Liverpool attempt to keep their own title bid afloat against pace-setters Manchester United today.

By the time the Blues kick off, the trophy race may be down to just two — with defeat for Rafael Benitez’s side signalling the end of their realistic interest in the title.

Hiddink, meanwhile, believes it will be a hard task for City to join the quest for the Premier League title next season, despite their vast reserves of cash and their stated intention to spend them liberally. “It can happen, nothing is impossible in this country, especially when you have (financial) power,” sys Hiddink. “But there are also the clubs with history, who have played as champions and fought for championships.”

“They have the advantage of their history and the experience of being on top of everyone, if not every year then for a lot of them. This experience is very valuable for the big clubs.

He added: “It’s not always a matter of money to make a team. You have to be very careful about positions and the balance of your squad. It is not simply because of money that you have success as a team.”

Meanwhile Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge has pledged to ignore the emotion of tomorrow’s Stamford Bridge reunion and focus on the quest to end City’s chronic away-day blues. Bridge ended a five-and-a-half-year association with Chelsea in January when he moved north to City in a £10 million deal.

The Blues have not managed an away win in the Premier League since the victory at Sunderland in August.

“I am looking forward to going back and seeing some old faces,” said the England full-back.

“We are going there to win and that is what I am concentrating on.”

Mark Hughes is set to keep the same side that started Thursday night’s win over Aalborg as Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong are unlikely to recover from toe and knee injuries.

Craig Bellamy is missing, so Felipe Caicedo will lead from the front.