'Did it sum up how far Chelsea had fallen? Yes' - Guus Hiddink shocked by champions' defeat to Bournemouth

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Guus Hiddink admits he was stunned when Chelsea lost to Bournemouth earlier in the season and believes it was the result which exposed how much the Premier League champions were in decline.

Jose Mourinho was still in charge when Eddie Howe's side inflicted an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to the Blues at Stamford Bridge in December and he was fired less than two weeks later.

Hiddink was appointed as his replacement for the rest of the campaign, but already knew the tough task he faced having watched the Bournemouth reverse on television.

Bournemouth, who Chelsea play tomorrow at Dean Court, were in League Two the last time he was employed as a caretaker at Chelsea in 2009.

When asked by Standard Sport about the significance of Chelsea’s demise against a team tipped by many to be relegated this term, he said: “I remember that game. I was at home watching it on TV and I was asking ‘how is this possible for Chelsea to go from being champions to losing to a club that has just come into the Premier League?’

“Did it sum up how far Chelsea had fallen? Yes. I think in the weeks before there had been some defeats and draws, which means you are experiencing a very bad situation that the club isn’t used to. It was a new negative experience. 

“You can have that as a champion and get a wake-up call in September, but this was December and they were still in the danger zone.”

Chelsea were just one point above the bottom three when Hiddink took over and they are now in a more comfortable 10th position.

But they are still just three points above tomorrow's opponents in the table and have won only once in their last seven matches.

The Blues have lost a third of their League games and Hiddink admits that the challenge for Antonio Conte, who will take charge permanently in the summer, is making teams like Bournemouth afraid to play them again.

When pressed if Chelsea must restore the fear factor, he added: “Yes, on top of that all the clubs will have the possibility to sign very good players and that will make it more difficult for more established clubs. Chelsea must be aware that the opposition will grow as well.”

Bournemouth’s impressive debut campaign in Premier League has seen them comfortably steer clear of the bottom three.

Hiddink is a huge admirer of Howe and feels he is a good example of why English coaches should get more jobs in the top flight.

He said: “It’s not easy to come from the Championship, but to keep them in the Premier League is even more difficult. 

“But they were always out of the danger zone, they kept doing well and he is an example of an English coach and how they can do well. 

“I have said before about giving an opportunity to English coaches and he is a beautiful example.

“It is a fairytale story for them and it’s down to good management and transfer policy. The second year is always more difficult, but I am full of respect for what they have done so far.”

Article'How is it possible?' Hiddink shocked by how far Chelsea had fallenChelsea F.c.Premier LeagueAFC BournemouthGuus Hiddink Bournemouth defeat sums up how far champions Chelsea had fallen Guus Hiddink shockedGalleryPublishedMedium width1Friday, April 22, 2016 - 15:03OnEnable video endboarddefault