Guus Hiddink says Chelsea are entering a period of transition as they face up to the prospect of life without Champions League football.

The Blues crashed out of Europe on Wednesday night as Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired Paris Saint-Germain to victory at Stamford Bridge.

Winning the competition represented Chelsea’s best chance of qualifying for the competition next season as a top-four finish looks beyond their reach.

A disastrous start to the season, which cost Jose Mourinho his job as manager, left Hiddink playing catch up when he took over the reins in December.

The interim Dutch boss has steadied the ship but appears unlikely to be able to break into the European places before the end of the campaign.

Hiddink said after the PSG defeat: "Chelsea is now in a transition period. They have to see how to go on and try to regain the lost terrain where Chelsea used to be.

"It is a difficult season. We we re almost panicking about relegation when I came in but it is difficult to get into fourth place."

Diego Costa gave Chelsea hope of turning the tide as he cancelled out Adrien Rabiot’s opener before Ibrahimovic struck the killer blow.

Chelsea 1-2 PSG in pictures:

Costa would go on to limp out of the clash with an injury and he was joined in the treatment room by Eden Hazard on a disappointing and costly night for the Blues.

Hiddink added: "We gave too much respect in the first 10 minutes, they were dominating.

"They are a good side but once we stepped up we had some chances.

“In the 67th minute it all changed. We had a good chance to score, then Diego Costa was injured.

“We knew he was not totally fit but he desperately wanted to play and scored a beautiful goal.

"You saw the difference between the squads when we had to bring young guys on and they have Edinson Cavani to come in.

“I must say that we had young Kenedy at left-back and he was excellent."

Chelsea head to Everton on Saturday evening in the FA Cup as they attempt to finish the season with at least something to show for their efforts.

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