Chelsea vs Leicester: Claudio Ranieri’s champions will be given guard of honour at Stamford Bridge

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Simon Johnson13 May 2016

Guus Hiddink today promised new champions Leicester will be given a guard of honour by Chelsea when they visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday on what will be his final game in charge.

Chelsea were on the receiving end from opponents 12 months ago when they finished top and will now suffer the ignominy of applauding Leicester on to the pitch after a woeful defence of the trophy.

“Yes of course (Chelsea will provide a guard of honour) - the way they have performed,” Hiddink confirmed.

“Once they were a surprise in first position, but at the end of the season – the last two months – everyone was writing them towards the title and normally there's an implosion within a squad, but they reacted very well, surprisingly.

“They enjoyed the moment and were well managed, did not implode. That's quite a good performance.”

Hiddink took over in December having also had a caretaker role for three months back in the 2008-9 campaign.

That first spell was far more successful than this one as he led Chelsea to a top three finish, an FA Cup and a Champions League semi-final.

It is unlikely the 69-year-old will be asked to come back for a third time, with Chelsea hoping Antonio Conte will impress once he takes over in the summer.

Hiddink has suggested he may still have some involvement with the club in future, but admits it will be tough to say goodbye to the managerial dug-out on Sunday afternoon.

Back at the Bridge: Former Chelsea boss returns as unlikely champion Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Michael Regan/Getty Images

He added: “Yes, I will be emotional. In the two spells which I've experienced here, the passion towards football was already general but the affection to the club has grown in those two spells.

“It's not just a caretaker situation to take the job for a certain period and that's it. In these periods I've had a lot of affection in this club. So there will be emotion of course.

“My favourite memory this time around? The recent memory of playing at Anfield on Wednesday was a pleasant memory. We played as I love them to play, except in the 92nd minute (when they conceded a late equaliser in 1-1 draw).

“That's the way Chelsea can play and should play. Against a very, very good team we managed to play as we like to play.

“Further on, generally when I was asked in December to come, we were down. Panic is not the right word, but we were close to that inside the club.

“What I like very much, and what I said to the players in December, was not to look back too much but look to what they had not brought to the team. I wanted to see answers on the training pitch and in games.

“There I can be satisfied as to how the team reacted in getting results and effort in the game. It's not easy to win, win, win after that but, step by step, getting the points with draws and some wins... the team reacted, which I was happy with and with the attitude of the team.”

Eden Hazard has been in superb form in recent weeks, scoring four goals in as many League matches.

The Belgium international is finally fit again after carrying various injury problems and Hiddink regrets his recovery didn’t happen sooner.

“I'm pleased for this moment, but I would have been more pleased if it had happened in February,” he said.

“After this splendid season before, he's had a difficult season. Falling all the time back into injuries. Coming back close to good appearances, good performances and falling back again.

“It's not physically a problem for him but, in a mental part, it's frustrating when you're out almost all the time after a good year.

“We brought him back with care, starting with a full-time game against Bournemouth and then half against Spurs, and he responded very well.

“We can be very happy with him and the team performance against Liverpool. He has come back to his level. He can be improving as he gets more game rhythm in the upcoming time.”

Hiddink confirmed Diego Costa will miss the final game with a hamstring problem, but Branislav Ivanovic may return after a minor groin injury.

More youth players could be involved, with 19-year-old midfielder Kasey Palmer next in line to earn a professional debut.

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