Is Guus Hiddink Chelsea's Real 'Special One'?

Watching Chelsea frustrate Barcelona in the Camp Nou got me thinking about Guus Hiddink, and his ability to pinpoint and nullify the strengths of the opposition.

In the 0-0 draw with the Spanish side, The Blues lined up with what was effectively a defensive 4-5-1 system, with Michael Essien down the right and Florent Malouda down the left expected to act as extra cover for the full backs against the pace and skill of Messi and Henry on the Barca wings.

While at first the deployment of the Ghanan player, Essien, down the right flank looked a waste of one of the best weapons in Chelsea’s arsenal, Hiddink was spot-on and his side became the first side this season to stop Barcelona scoring at home.

It was a great achievement considering the Blues' defence has not exactly been watertight in the last few weeks, and that the Spanish League leaders have scored more than 70 goals at home already this season.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen Hiddink pull off similar impressive tactical victories overall some of Chelsea’s biggest rivals.

In the Champions League Quarter Final at Anfield, the Dutchman made the apparently simple idea of man-marking Steven Gerrard the turning point in the tie from which Rafa Benitez’s side never recovered.

Then at Wembley, when Chelsea were failing to dominate the midfield as expected, Hiddink moved Essien further forward, to utilise his pace and power, and dropped Michael Ballack deeper, to seize control of the middle of the park.

These changes lead to vital wins against sides that, under Scolari, had beaten Chelsea previously this season.

The crucial difference between Chelsea’s Brazilian former coach and Hiddink is that the Dutchman is more pragmatic.

Scolari was determined to see Chelsea play so-called "beautiful football," but this came at the expense of the team’s real strength, their power and determination.

Hiddink clicked onto this instantly, and has altered the way the team plays in order to achieve the right result.

The game in Catalonia was the perfect example, with Hiddink curbing his usual attacking mentality because he knew it would leave the door open for Messi and Co. to have their fun if Chelsea tried to open up.

It’s this pragmatism that is making Hiddink as much a success as Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

The pair have similar records in their first dozen or so games in charge and Hiddink is clearly inspiring the same ‘never-say-die’ attitude that made the Londoners such a force under Mourinho.

All these factors make it seem even more unthinkable that Roman Abramovich will simply let Hiddink walk out of SW6, especially if he has just placed the FA or European Cup (or both!) on Abramovich’s desk.

There’s no doubt that Chelsea fans would love to see Guus Hiddink stay on as Chelsea boss, given what he has already managed to salvage from what was a one point looking like being a very disappointing season.

If he is able to bring at least one trophy to Stamford Bridge, the tag "Special One" might have a new owner.