Hiddink takes charge of first Chelsea training session

Guus Hiddink took charge of his first Chelsea training session on Monday with the club’s England midfielder Frank Lampard saying the Dutchman was already making his presence felt.

Hiddink watched last weekend’s 3-1 FA Cup win away to Watford following the sacking of former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Lampard told www.chelseafc.com that Hiddink’s presence had lifted the spirits of the players.

“He has cast his eye over training and the game and you can see a little lift in the lads trying to impress him, which always happens when a new manager comes in,” said Lampard.

“I think he will be happy with the desire and spirit we showed at 1-0 down (against Watford) and some of the football we played on a difficult pitch was good. I am sure he is looking forward to working with us.

“I think I will enjoy working with him because we all know him as a manager, we know what he did before with other teams. We look forward to working with him.”

Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

They face Aston Villa, two points ahead of them in third place, on Saturday and Lampard insisted the title was not yet beyond Chelsea this season.

“Aston Villa is massive because they are in front of us. To still be in the chase we have to win the game.

“It is going to be tough but we have a lot of big players, a strong team and we can do it.”