Guus Hiddink looks ahead to Chelsea's game with Portsmouth
- 00:03:12
- ITN
Guus Hiddink looks ahead to Chelsea's game with Portsmouth
Guus Hiddink has said he would "love it" if Chelsea could prevent Manchester United from completing a clean sweep of trophies this season. The Red Devils secured their second piece of silverware, having won the Fifa Club World Cup before Christmas, after beating Tottenham on penalties at Wembley on Sunday to lift the Carling Cup. Chelsea moved back up into second place in the Premier League over the weekend, but remain seven points adrift of Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who have a game in hand heading into the midweek fixtures. "I hope that we can stop Ferguson. I would love to stop him on this aim," said the Dutchman, who takes his Chelsea side to Portsmouth. "I have not had that many experiences with him directly, direct confrontations, although I remember once it was my birthday when PSV Eindhoven were eliminated by Manchester United. "I have met him sometimes when I have been to Manchester United, for a couple of pre-season tournaments. I like him very much, although we don't know each other very well. I respect him very much." Hiddink has won all of his matches since taking charge at Stamford Bridge and has been impressed by the response of the Chelsea players, who fought back to beat Wigan with a stoppage-time goal from Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Dutchman, who remains coach of Russia, has no intentions of staying longer than the end of the season, but is clearly enjoying his time in England. "I know the demands are high. I am not going back, lying down and lighting a cigar," he said. "I demand high as well for my group where I have influence, but I like the approach to football here in England. "I like the approach, the professionalism at every level. The man in the street understands football perfectly."
ITN | March 3, 2009
