Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Guus Hiddink's Key Takeaways from FA Cup Presser
February 19, 2016
Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has reassured fans that Eden Hazard remains committed to the club ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round fixture against Manchester City.
ITV pundit Roy Keane was quoted by the Daily Mail's Ben Grounds earlier in the week and said he'd "kick him up and down the training pitch" if he were one of his team-mates after Hazard told French daily Le Parisien he'd find it hard to resist a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Per the official Chelsea Twitter account, Hiddink insisted Hazard is "very keen to be here" and that his family is content in west London, adding he hopes to see the winger's game improve:
Chelsea FC @ChelseaFCGuus: 'Hazard was in a difficult situation but he has to step up. We have had some small talks. I hope he will do it soon.' #CFC
The Belgium star has scored just a single goal this season, but Sunday's high-profile encounter against the Citizens presents the player with the ideal platform on which to prove to fans he's concentrated on Chelsea.
The west Londoners lost their first game under interim chief Hiddink earlier this week, falling 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 meeting. The Dutchman added that in order to improve, every player must focus on their own individual game:
Chelsea FC @ChelseaFCGuus says it is important all the players continue to take responsibility for their own individual performances. #CFC
Chelsea lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League when they travelled to the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, but the tables have turned since then, and the Blues look closer to their former selves under Hiddink.
ESPN FC's Liam Twomey provided quotes from the coach, who said he won't make many changes for the fifth-round tie because Chelsea "take a very serious approach to the FA Cup." City have lost their last two games against title contenders Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, but Hiddink remains wary:
Liam Twomey @liam_twomeyHiddink on Man City: "They were a bit unlucky in the last games but a big team always reacts. We are warned" #cfc #mcfc
It was also confirmed captain John Terry will miss Sunday's fixture due to the hamstring injury he suffered against Newcastle United, and although Hiddink hopes to have him back next weekend, he isn't sure on his fitness just yet.
Having signed for the club on a six-month loan in January, Alexandre Pato's race for fitness is also ongoing, and it's unlikely the striker will feature against City, per the Press Association's Matt McGeehan:
Matt McGeehan @mattmcgeehanPato is getting "fitter and fitter". "Let's see what the results are of the tests he did today, where he can come in", Hiddink says
Hiddink has given the west London giants a new lease of life since his December arrival, and while their Premier League dreams may be shattered, the FA Cup could yet provide some hope this term.
Prior to Tuesday's defeat in Paris, Chelsea were unbeaten in their previous 12 outings under Hiddink and will be hopeful of extending that domestic record come Sunday.
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