Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our coverage of today’s Chelsea press conference.

Guus Hiddink is due to sit down with the media at approximately 1pm this lunchtime ahead of Saturday’s game at Sunderland.

Chelsea are counting down the days until the end of term now after ending Tottenham’s title hopes by handing Leicester the Premier League crown on Monday.

There’s nothing left to play for except pride now and Hiddink could experiment with his team for the visit to the Stadium of Light.

Incoming manager Antonio Conte will want to take a closer look at some of the club's fringe players before officially taking over this summer.

Stay tuned for all the latest gossip, team news and more from the Dutchman as we bring you his thoughts live from Cobham.

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That’s all from Cobham as Guus Hiddink’s tenure as Chelsea boss begins to wind down.

The Dutch interim manager will start looking towards tomorrow’s clash with relegation-threatened Sunderland, and perhaps wait by the phone for an invitation to John Terry’s party.

Here are some of the highlights from his media briefing.

  • The FA are entitled to investigate Spurs clash
  • Hiddink wants Blues to repeat Monday night fight
  • Courtois has a personality clash with goalkeeping coach
  • No injury news ahead of Sunderland trip
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Dutchman pours cold water on Courtois bust-up rumours

Thibaut Courtois was allegedly involved in an altercation with Chelsea’s goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.

Lollichon, who mentored Petr Cech, is said to have a fractured relationship with the Belgian goalkeeper, who is looking to leave Stamford Bridge as a result.

But Hiddink has laughed off suggestions of a rift, although admitted a there was a clash of personalities.

He said: “I don’t think so. They are working as a group, as goalies do, in their reduced area.

“They are different personalties but they do well, they work hard. The most important thing is that Courtois said he is very happy at Chelsea and will stay at the club.

“If Steve and I have a big dispute, we have to fight each other out of this hall. That’s not what is going on - they are happy here.”

Safe hands: Rudy Gestede challenges Thibaut Courtois for the ball
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Hiddink wants same Spurs intensity against Sunderland

Hiddink suggested there are no serious injury concerns ahead of the Sunderland trip.

The Chelsea boss refused, however, to confirm whether Thibaut Courtois would play at the Stadium of Light, though admitted his team have a duty to fight.

He said: “Little things, not big things. I will give them the team news in the morning.

“Nothing at stake, no silverware, but there is pride and football enjoyment.

“For the teams still fighting against relegation, they deserve us to go for the win.

“I am not in for it to change a lot in the team, after making six or seven players from the academy - that would not be fair.

“No, only the usual ones.

“Given the situation, it is not fair to give serious approach to Spurs game and not the other ones.”

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Sam Allardyce, manager of Sunderland gives a thumbs up to fans as he arrives for the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on December 30, 2015 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Hiddink doesn't know about John Terry party

Details have emerged of departing captain John Terry’s farewell party at Stamford Bridge.

It is believed the Blues’ skipper will splash the cash in having a pitch party worth over £22,000.

But Hiddink says he does not know about any farewell do, and certainly doesn’t know if he will be invited.

He said: “I hope to be invited. As you said, It does not involve me.”

John Terry of Chelsea
(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Hiddink lavishes praise upon Claudio Ranieri

Chelsea’s Monday night draw saw the title handed to Leicester, led by former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Foxes’ championship-winning season has been lauded as one of the greatest ever sporting upsets.

And Hiddink admits he has admiration for Ranieri’s control of the situation.

He said: Normally when you are not champion yet, there is danger of implosion - they didn’t have that. They managed it very well. They played with commitment without any fear.

“That was key when almost everyone announced them as next champion. Ranieri managed it very good in his way, his style, very charming. He got the attention of the team.

“I cannot judge about his work daily, but his performance on TV, he made it relaxed for the team.

“We give them a guard of honour, win, then give them another. That’s a nice scenario.”

Claudio Ranieri, Manager of Leicester City gestures during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield
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Chelsea will fight to the end to defeat Sunderland

The Blues travel to the Stadium of Light after a fiesty Monday night clash at home.

There have been murmurs of the Dutch interim coach taking the opportunity to blood more youngsters into the first team.

But Hiddink insists that he will do what he can to down Sunderland’s survival hopes.

He said: “We said before when nothing was at stake, being at a big club, the obligation was there by heart to act well as a player.

“They did in the previous games. We are going into the last three games with that attitude.

“We would love to win. It’s a different game. We are regarding their situation now in the relegation zone.

“It makes it not easy, they have a very experienced manager who will fine tune the team in the right way.”

Guus Hiddink, the Chelsea manager, is pictured during a press conference
(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Fabregas claims nonsense, says Hiddink

Cesc Fabregas was accused in midweek of being the spark which set off the fire in the clash against Spurs.

The Spaniard was heavily involved in a series of incidents, including accusing Erik Lamela of a stamp on his hand.

But Hiddink insists he was not involved in the post-match clash.

He added: “They were talking to each other on the bench, rather loudly in Spanish, so I took Cesc away. From there on, he went into the tunnel without arguing.

“There was a little bit, one of my physios wanted to protect me from going into the dressing room.

“We were 2-0 down but fixed that at half time. We look at the whole season, I would have loved it in the PSG game.

“There were different line ups in those games. The last line-up against Spurs, we had a complete squad.”

Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea remonstrates with referee Mark Clattenburg
(Image: Ian Walton/Getty Images)
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FA entitled to investigate heated Spurs clash

Chelsea picked up a fine under rule E20 this week in the 2-2 draw with Spurs at Stamford Bridge.

The fiery clash saw nine Spurs players booked in one of the most electric derbys between the two sides. But Hiddink says the FA are within their right to issue charges.

He said: “The nine yellows for them and three for us. Outside that, the FA are investigating still. What shall I say to that?

“If they think they should do it, it’s their judgement. I don’t have any comments on that.

“There were too many incidents, of course. It was hot. There were too many chest to chest situations - it’s not good for the game.

“It’s up to the FA. “I worked in the Latin world and there’s a lot of pushing there. For me, the pushing was a minor thing - I lost my balance.”

Guus Hiddink, the Chelsea manager, is pictured during a press conference
(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Chelsea's manager is in the building!

Guus Hiddink has entered the press room ahead of the clash at the Stadium of Light.

After the eventful week which saw the Blues draw with Spurs to see Leicester win the title, it ought to be an interesting one.

Anyway, here we go..

Interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink gives a press conference
(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Conte to cut back on Chelsea staff

Antonio Conte seems to be having second thoughts about the complexion of his Chelsea backroom staff.

Conte will take over the Blues reins from Guus Hiddink this summer after leading out Italy at Euro 2016 in France.

The Azzurri head coach is looking to bring some of his trusted colleagues with him to west London and the details of their contracts are still being ironed out.

However, sources in Italy have indicated Conte may be cutting back on the number of coaching staff who will be joining him in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Defensive coach Massimo Carrera looks to be the man who will definitely be missing out while scout Mauro Sandreani’s Chelsea deal looks to be in the balance.

Read the full story here as fresh details of Conte’s plans emerge.

Head coach Antonio Conte addresses his troops
(Image: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
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Dembele to accept charge

Some more fall-out from the Spurs game.

Sky sources are claiming Moussa Demeble has accepted his FA violent conduct charge.

He appeared to gouge Diego Costa’s eye during the clash.

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Terry's Chelsea leaving party

John Terry’s days at Chelsea appear to be numbered and details of his Stamford Bridge farewell are starting to emerge.

The 35-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and looks set to leave the club in the summer after receiving no offer of a new contract.

Trips to Sunderland, Liverpool and the visit of Leicester City on the final day of the Premier League campaign appear to be Terry’s last opportunities to run out for the Blues.

He was not included in the club’s promotion of their new home kit for next season and is now looks destined to bow out after the Foxes clash on May 15.

The Daily Mail is reporting the skipper will go out with a bang after club sources revealed he is set to hire out the pitch at the Bridge next week.

Chelsea charge £22,000 to hire out the ground for such an event, if you select their premium package, with all sorts of extras thrown in.

Referees, water bottles, changing rooms, safety stewards, use of the perimeter advertising boards, access to the stadium microphone and PA and a BBQ are included.

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Battle of the Bridge

It was an eventful game against Spurs on Monday.

There was all the excitement and needle you’d expect from a derby game and then some!

Here’s a look back at the highlights from a stormy match at the Bridge.

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Courtois set to stay

Thibaut Courtois insists he has no plans to leave Chelsea despite a lack of Champions League football next season.

The Belgian goalkeeper has been linked with mega-money moves to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Courtois has previously been non-committal when questioned over his future at Stamford Bridge, fuelling speculation he could quit the west London club.

But he last night came out with an emphatic declaration of his desire to fight on atChelsea and regain his best form after a frustrating season between the sticks.

I have a contract for three years, so I will say 100 per cent.

Rumours affect any club where things are going badly. People think the top players want to leave because they are not in the Champions League.

Everyone knows it is our fault we will not play in that competition next year. It has happened to Manchester United and to Dortmund, to not play in the Champions League, and it is heartbreaking.

This year, we have not defended our title well like we needed to. We must re-gather our forces to return stronger and get back to the Champions League.

Thibaut Courtois
(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Kit launch

Chelsea have unveiled their home kit for the 2016-17 as the Blues prepare for life under new manager Antonio Conte.

Belgian wizard Eden Hazard and towering midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek were on hand to model the latest Adidas offering as the club broadcast the event live on Facebook.

Hazard had been linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer but his recent statements and inclusion for this occasion suggests he will remain in west London.

Chelsea will be wearing the new strip in their final home game of the Premier League season when champions Leicester City visit Stamford Bridge.

Yokohama are once again the main sponsor and their logo is emblazoned across the front of the new Blues home shirt.

It is priced at £90 for the Adi Zero version and £55 for the adult replica version, with a kids replica shirt setting you back £45 on the club’s megastore website.

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FA charges

Chelsea and Tottenham have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their players.

The two clubs have been accused of three breaches of FA Rule E20 during Monday’s London derby stalemate.

Chelsea came back from two goals down in a fiery contest, branded the Battle of the Bridge , to end Spurs’ hopes of catching Premier League leaders Leicester.

An FA statement read: “Both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been charged for three breaches of FA Rule E20 for failing to control their players and/or officials.

“It follows incidents which occurred in the 45th and 87th minutes and also at the end of the game at Stamford Bridge on Monday night [2 May 2016].

“Both clubs have until 6pm on Monday 9 May 2016 to respond to their charge.”

In addition to the violent conduct charge, Tottenham’s Mousa Dembélé has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but was caught on video.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea players arguing during the match on Monday night
(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
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Welcome!

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our live coverage of today’s Chelsea press conference.

Guus Hiddink is due to sit down with the media at approximately 1pm this lunchtime ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

Chelsea are counting down the days until the end of term now after ending Tottenham’s title hopes by handing Leicester the Premier League crown on Monday.

There’s nothing left to play for except pride now and Hiddink could experiment with his team for the visit to the Stadium of Light.

Stay tuned for all the latest gossip, team news and more from the Dutchman as we bring you his thoughts live from Cobham.

Manager of Chelsea Guus Hiddink watches the action during the UEFA Youth League quarter final match
(Image: Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
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