Chelsea will still be able to attract top players players this summer even if they miss out on Champions League football next season, says Guus Hiddink.
The interim Chelsea boss believes that the Blues have enough ambition and potential for success to sign top players regardless of their absence from Europe.
The side currently sit 17 points off the top four and will need a miraculous end to the season if they are going to qualify for Europe.
He said: “The club must offer the ambition even when you don't play Champions League next year, but we are a club with a big status who can offer ambition into the future.”
Chelsea were in dire straits when Hiddink was parachuted in and the Dutchman faced an uphill battle from the outset.
Hiddink had three objectives when handed the reins in December; securing Champions League football, winning the FA Cup and conquering Europe.
Two of those three options remain open for the Blues.
The former Netherlands boss said: “Success is there if we get through some more rounds and get to finals of the cups.
"That would be a huge success, that is not easy, but failure would have been if so far from December till now we had several defeats.
“I hope we can be on the edge to go in to spring term to achieve what this club should achieve. Coming from this very unexpected situation.
“Not putting judgement on people in the past but it has caused a very uncertain situation when you come from August being champions, you are not always coming to the second year challenging for the title but you have to compete for the first four positions.
“Bearing that in mind it is more difficult than my previous spell.”
Hiddink also weighed in on the ever present fixture list debate as he suggested the Premier League and FA should do more for sides competing in the Champions League.
The Blues boss believes games should be moved to a Friday night if teams are competing in Europe on a Tuesday night to allow optimum time for recovery and preparation.
He added: “I think it is key to have the teams well prepared for Europe. If you ask the doctors the second day after the game is a tough day for recovery and in this case it is also a preparation day for the next game.
“I think the Premier League must also think of giving the teams representing England in the Champions League in Europe to give them a good schedule and there I think the commercial side, the broadcaster, must also think of giving the teams involved to play, for instance, on a Tuesday, play your games if possible on Friday.
“One day rest in this tough league and one day more preparation time is vital for teams playing in Europe.
“You can see why its favourable for the teams to have a good preparation for matches, at least two and a half, three games.”
