Good afternoon everyone and welcome to today's coverage of Guus Hiddink's Chelsea vs Leicester City press conference.
The interim Blues manager will take charge of the club for the final time this weekend before handing the reins over to Antonio Conte this summer.
He will bow out after the visit of the Premier League champions - but will John Terry be following him out the door at Stamford Bridge.
Will have the latest on all the big issues as soon as we get them from Hiddink, with the boss due to speak at 1.15pm this Friday lunchtime.
Key Events
John Terry IS in discussions over a new deal
The Chelsea press officer has opened the press conference by confirming the club are in talks with the Chelsea skipper.
He said: “I can say, on behalf of the club, that Bruce Buck met with John and his agent this week, and offered him a one year contract extension.
“Coming this late in the season, it’s a big decision for John - he’s now considering it.
“No more comment.”
That's all, folks.
Guus is gone, it’s over.
The Dutchman walks out does nothing as the cameras are switched off, and the written press part of conference begins.
He insists he is not overly emotional, but I’m not so sure.
Here are the highlights from his final Chelsea press call.
- John Terry has been offered a new Blues deal
- Thibaut Courtois will return for Leicester clash
- Diego Costa is ruled out - but may make the Euros
- Blues boss refused to talk about pending transfers
Blues boss praises John Obi Mikel for Chelsea recovery
Hiddink took over the club when they were precariously placed in the Premier League - just one point above the drop zone.
He steadied the ship and is proud of that achievement at the Blues, though regrets not leading them to a cup final.
And he has praised John Obi Mikel for that recovery and adapting during an injury-laden spell.
He said: “I don’t want to look for many excuses but one of the reasons we couldn’t continue our performances once we were out of the relegation zone is we had to deal with injuries in central defence.
“We had to re-shuffle a bit and John Obi Mikel has had a good half-season in my opinion.
“He is capable of playing in central defence. He offered himself.
“He was not playing on his favoured position but he showed he can play there.”
Hiddink coy on Abraham reappearance
Abraham made his debut in midweek against Liverpool, impressing in the 18 minutes he had on the field.
But will we see more of the 18-year-old against Leicester?
Hiddink said: “It’s a rather huge step to make - from the academy to the first team.
“Some need a little bit of practice with the first team.
“They still need to make the step, like Traore has done - he has grown towards men football.
“Abraham has done it, he is very open in his mentality, works hard, not afraid to come in.
“Made already a small step towards a bigger achievement.”
Hiddink expecting Leicester success to change Premier League landscape
The Blues boss has already gone on record stating how good Leicester’s win was for the Premier League.
Looking ahead to next season, the Dutchman believes that the league could spring further surprises.
And, to the Blues’ dismay, this could mean the top four as we know it being torn apart.
He added: “We managed to come back, and we’re happy to, but it’s not enough for Chelsea standards. It’s relatively quiet in the club.
“We have to go on, become very competitive next season.
“Yes, of course, the way they have performed especially.
“In the last two months, everyone was writing them towards the title - usually you get an implosion in the squad.
“Surprisingly they reacted very well, without fear, they enjoyed the moment - it was well managed. That’s quite good.
“I was just talking with my staff about next season - there can be surprises.
“With many teams now, financially they can sign good players, have good recruitment.
“It is not set that the established four or five teams competing each year - that is not secure.
“Next year can be surprising too - it’s good for football.”
Hiddink not teary-eyed about Chelsea departure
The Dutchman has insisted multiple times that he will not be too devastated about his Stamford Bridge departure.
This is mainly because he is not actually permanently leaving - he has a background role at the club amongst his other consultation roles.
And Hiddink said: “It sounds dramatic, but I know every now and then I will come back and see what I can do - help out the young players.
“It’s not a definite role. It’s not an official role. But I will be back, so it’s less dramatic than it seems.
“When they asked me to be honest, I did not think much to say yes or no, I was very pleased that I could do it, was asked.
“I had the energy still to perform, deliver and do what we have done.
“Of course, I would have loved once we escaped from danger to go into an FA Cup final, another one or two more Champions League rounds, but we could not fulfil that.
“In general, I am happy with the last half year.”
Hiddink backs de Boer for Premier League
Frank de Boer left Ajax after six years yesterday amidst rumours he was destined for Everton.
In response, the Merseysiders sacked Roberto Martinez - who was one of two managerial casualties, with Watford sacking Quique Sanchez Flores on Friday.
But Hiddink believes compatriot de Boer is up to Premier League standard.
Hiddink said: “Frank de Boer is doing the route I like very much. They did their course, with their licenses, then they worked with the young teams, 12, then 16 years.
“They took over the manager role, winning four titles - Cocu did the same route.
“Once they step up to a bigger league, the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, they must have the ambition.”
Thibaut Courtois RETURNS from injury
Sunday sees the Blues end their season at home to the new Premier League champions Leicester.
In a way, it is fitting as Chelsea metaphorically hand over their crown to the Premier League’s fairytale club.
Of course, the Foxes already lifted their Premier League trophy after last weekend’s victory over Everton. But Chelsea will welcome Thibaut Courtois back to the team.
Hiddink said: “Diego Costa will be out with his hamstring.
“He will have good rest, with training he can be fit for the Euros.
“This morning, Thibaut was training and should be ok.”
Legend Terry can impact Chelsea culture, says Hiddink
Despite having planned his leaving party - at Stamford Bridge, no less - Chelsea have done a U-turn on their captain, leader, legend.
The skipper received a new contract extension yesterday and is mulling over the deal with his family.
It all leaves everything up in the air. Will Terry sign a new deal? Hiddink thinks he should.
He said: “Ex-players are having a lot of say in the culture of a club.
“They like to come back in whatever task they can do - I am in favour of that.
“It is nice to have players who are big personalities.
“I don’t know before this weekend’s match - in general, when things are clear, you will see.
“20/21 years at a club - it’s huge. This is how they become legends, you must cherish them.”
Hiddink unsure on Conte overhaul
The season has not even ended yet and it appears Antonio Conte has set his sight on transfer targets.
He was reported to be heavily interested in signing Roma’s Radja Nainggolan as his midfield leader - though the Belgian has gone on record as saying he wants to stay in Italy.
Conte has now set his sights, it appears, on 23-year-old World Cup winner Mario Gotze.
The midfielder is set to leave Bayern Munich in the summer, with former club Borussia Dortmund linked, as well as a reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
But now, it seems, Chelsea have also entered the race - though the Blues manager refuses to comment on new players.
He said: “It’s up to the new management and directors. I didn’t want to interfere too much - they can make their own judgement.
“They have looked an analysed the situation at the club - they will make their approach and measurements.
“It’s up to them.”
Hiddink delighted for Hazard recovery
The Blues winger rediscovered his form just in time to end Spurs’ title hopes and hand Sunday’s opponents, Leicester, the Premier League.
It has added to Chelsea’s bizarre season, in which Hazard, last season’s Premier League Player of the Year, looked out of sorts for the majority of the campaign.
But after scoring yet again in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in midweek, Hiddink believes his player is returning to form in time for Belgium, and after that, Antonio Conte’s reign.
He said: “I’m pleased for this moment, I would’ve been more pleased if it happened in February.
“He has had a difficult season - falling into injuries, close to good performances, then falling back again.
“It was a physical and mental problem, being Player of the Year, then next year being out.
“The last period, starting with full game against Bournemouth, and then against Spurs, he responded really well. We can be very happy with him.
“Not just him, but he can be the difference in a game.”
Hiddink proud of Chelsea job
The Chelsea boss has been reminiscing on his favourite moments in his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
He is particularly proud of the way he - and the team - managed to push away from the drop zone after a horrendous start.
And, he says, in recent weeks the Blues have been reaching their potential.
He said: “My recent memory of playing at Anfield was a pleasant memory - we played as I love them to play, except the 92nd minute.
“That’s how Chelsea should play. We managed to play as we like to play.
“What I like very much, I spoke to the players in December, was not to look back - look forward. Look back, maybe to what you have not brought to the team - I said I didn’t want the answers right away, I wanted them on the pitch.
“I can be satisfied with how the team reacted.”
And we're live!
FINALLY, we’re all ready to go here, and in the words of Martin Tyler, ‘it’s live!’
The Chelsea interim has entered the room, albeit 15 minutes late, and is now quite comfortable. He blames the press officer.
Stay with us for all the latest news ahead of the Leicester clash.
We're nearly ready...
Under five minutes to go now until Guus Hiddink makes his final appearance in the Cobham press room.
The Dutchman will, of course, depart the club after their final game against Leicester.
But that does not mean he will have a quiet press conference - with a number of question marks hanging over the club.
Young Chelsea starlet amazed by debut
Tammy Abraham has played a key role in the success of Chelsea’s youth team this season, and has been earmarked as a star of the future.
But the youngster made his first team debut in the midweek draw at Liverpool, much to his delight.
The 18-year-old said: “Coming on at Liverpool and playing with the players I was with is a great achievement for me.
“(Anfield is a) great stadium, great fans. It is a great achievement to make my debut against Liverpool.”
Chelsea 'superstar' stole the Anfield show
And on that note, Dan Levene has been speaking about the 25-year-old winger’s renaissance.
He writes: “With every move forward that followed his spectacular first-half Anfield goal, Eden Hazard seemed to carry more confidence.
“And, for their part, the Liverpool defenders he came up against displayed greater and greater panic as the match wore-on.
“Whether going solo, feeding young forward Bertrand Traore, or acting as the supply man to the raw young prospect Tammy Abraham off the bench, this was the Belgian’s show.”
Read more from the Chelsea man here.
Eden Hazard back to his best?
The Chelsea winger has suddenly rediscovered his form at the season’s death.
After torturing Tottenham’s defence and scoring the equaliser in the 2-2 draw which ended the visitors’ title dreams, Hazard scored a fantastic solo effort against Liverpool in mid-week.
The agile Belgian picked up the ball outside the box, shrugged off his markers and whipped the ball into the bottom corner.
Although the Blues had to settle for a point on Merseyside, Hiddink believes the enigmatic wide player is back to his best.
Welcome!
Good afternoon, and thank you for tuning in for Chelsea’s final pre-match press conference of the season.
The season’s end, you feel, could not come quickly enough for Blues fans after a disastrous opening four months under Jose Mourinho.
Guus Hiddink looked to restore some pride after his re-appointment in December, but could not get past the FA Cup quarter-final or Champions League last 16.
And the Dutchman, of course, will see his side host the new Premier League leaders Leicester on Sunday - led by former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri.
Join us for all the latest team news ahead of the Stamford Bridge clash, with the briefing set to start at 1.15pm.
