Essien has faith in Hiddink

The Dutchman has been put in charge for the rest of the season at Stanford Bridge and can count of the strength and industry of his Ghanaian midfielder, who is making a return from a five-month spell on the sidelines through injury.

He had his first group training with the rest of the Chelsea squad last week since his injury in September and is keen to get back and help the club bid for trophies.

It is, however, the arrival of the well-traveled Ducthman that Essien is hoping will turn their season around.

“Hiddink has been around for quite a while and knows what it takes to get positive results out of nothing,” Essien told the 90minutes newspaper. “He is a fantastic manager, so we hope he would bring the magic to give us strength we need to mount a challenge in all competitions.”

Essien is delighted to finally return to training, but knows he is still a long way away from a full return.

“According to Laurent [chief physio], it should not take more than one month for me to play actively again. He has assured me that once we go through a few other exercises for two or three weeks, I should be fit enough to return to the pitch,” he said.