Chelsea's New Coach: From Russia, With Love

Valentines Day could yet be the day that love was finally restored at Chelsea FC. To many it may seem fitting that on this most romantic of occasions, the Blues began to play with harmony once again.

Vicarage Road was the setting on Saturday evening and the country watched on in anticipation as Guus Hiddink's new side took on Watford in the FA Cup. Ray Wilkins was in charge for the tie, but all eyes were on Hiddink, as the Russia manager took his place in the stands alongside Chelsea owner and close friend Roman Abramovich.

This was the first time the team had played since Luis Felipe Scolari's unexpected dismissal during the previous week and the players were unsurprisingly out to prove a point and impress their new coach, who watched on with intent.

The romance of the cup was very much alive with half an hour to go. Thomas Priskin had beaten the Chelsea offside trap to slot Watford ahead. Enter Nicolas Anelka. The Barclay's Premiership's leading scorer turned the game on it's head with a sublime hat trick and ensured Hiddink would begin his new job with a winning side.

The result provided a confidence boost for a seemingly depleted Chelsea squad, rich with talent and big names but recently unable to recapture their breathtaking form of the first few months of the season. This inability to win of late has been baffling when considering how dominant and formidable the side had looked under Scolari just months ago.

Many had tipped the Blues to run away with the league title after seeing them demolish Portsmouth on the opening day. Many also branded Scolari's new method of attacking football as beautiful. There were even claims that the Brazilian manager would go on to exceed the achievements of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

However, the wheels soon began to fall off and results became worse, with the long unbeaten home record ended by Liverpool. Stamford Bridge was no longer the fortress that it had been for years under Mourinho, with Arsenal and Burnley recording victories and Chelsea failing to beat Southend, Hull, Newcastle,West Ham and Tottenham on home soil.

With reports of player unrest and division within the camp, Abramovich decided to remove Scolari and replace him with the experienced Dutchman Guus Hiddink. Continuing his role as the Russian National Team coach, Hiddink will combine roles as he attempts to resurrect Chelsea's season and aims to bring some silverware to SW6.

What can the fans expect from their new manager?

Having worked at top clubs such as Real Madrid, Valencia, and PSV Eindhoven, Hiddink will be accustomed to the pressure and high expectations of the club. This was a key ingredient which eluded Scolari, who lacked the club management skills and wasn't familiar with the day-to-day responsibilities.

Hiddink, however, will have the combination of tactical and attractive football and should provide the efficiency and consistency which Chelsea fans have missed this season.

The first task for Hiddink will be to reignite the flame inside Didier Drogba and help the Ivorian rediscover his hunger for the game. Those who watched the Watford game will have seen glimpses of the Drogba who was at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho.

With Anelka and Drogba working in cohesion, the Blues could be lethal in front of goal—it is down to Hiddink to find the formula.

Perhaps more important than jump-starting the offense is the suspect defensive line. For months Chelsea has seemingly been unable to prevent goals from crosses. The departure of Steve Clarke to West Ham has had a major effect on the solidness of the back four, and John Terry hasn't performed to his high standards of late.

With Scolari's last act as manager, he did secure the services of Ricardo Quaresma on loan from Inter Milan. It will be interesting to see how Hiddink utilises this potentially pivotal player for Chelsea, as the side have lacked any significant width this year.

Quaresma, however, will be ineligible for the Champions League tie with Juventus next week in which Hiddink will take charge and do battle with ex-Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri.

With the league possibly out of reach this season, Chelsea must now focus on the cup competitions if they are to claim any silverware and a strong result is needed next Wednesday if they are to progress in Europe.

The jury is still out with this Chelsea side, but if Hiddink can rejuvenate this squad, they are more than capable of going all the way.