Guus Hiddink has revealed that he “encourages” Chelsea’s youngsters to make mistakes in the wake of this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City.
The Dutchman named a weakened team for the visit of Mark Hughes’s side, with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa among the most notable absentees for the hosts.
The decision paved the way for Bertrand Traore to start up front for the Blues and the Burkina Faso repaid his manager’s faith with a confident display.
Although the 20-year-old missed an early chance he rifled home the opening goal courtesy of a long-range strike which flew in past a helpless Jack Butland.
Mame Biram Diouf snatched a point for the Potters in the closing stages but Hiddink remained upbeat about the impact several of Chelsea’s fringe players made against difficult opposition.
“It’s good to see the youngsters on this podium because sometimes they start with a lot of nerves,” Hiddink told the BBC.
“You try to encourage them to make errors, errors, errors – it’s not a big problem as long as they don’t get passive.
“We have rested one of two players but on the other hand it’s good to see the substitutes coming in.
“Especially the young ones. We know what the older ones can do but Traore and [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek at the end was also doing his job rather well.”
Hiddink conceded that Traore’s performance was not flawless but he is hopeful the youngster can continue to progress after a promising start to his career in west London.
“In the beginning he was a bit passive but through the goal I hope he can step up to the next level.
“We know he has the capacity he showed it in his goal,” he added.
Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night before travelling to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup next Saturday.
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