The atmosphere at Chelsea has improved and there is greater communication from interim manager Guus Hiddink according to the club’s midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Last season Chelsea won the Premier League and Capital One Cup under Jose Mourinho but they started this season in terrible form and eventually the club decided to dispense with the Portuguese’s services.
For the second time in his career Hiddink arrived at Stamford Bridge on an interim basis and he remains unbeaten in his second spell in charge following a 5-1 victory over MK Dons on Sunday.
Speaking to BBC Sport before the game Mikel spoke about how Hiddink is great at communicating with all players and the atmosphere is now more relaxed.
“It’s the way he communicates with the players and maybe that’s what the players felt they didn’t get from the previous manager.
“Sometimes players – not just because they’re not playing – you need to communicate with them. You need to speak to them and don’t just ignore them because players like to be communicated to.
“This is what [Hiddink] has brought into the football club. In some ways you barely know he is in there, he is that calm and relaxed.”
Like with the Dutchman’s first spell in charge Mikel has become a key player under Hiddink, playing in every league game so far.
It is a measure of how important he has become that he was chosen to be rested against MK Dons, with both Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic playing 90 minutes.
With games against Watford and Manchester United to come this week it seems likely that Mikel will be a key figure once again as Chelsea look to continue their good form and try and rise up the table.
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