Pedro happy at Chelsea

The Blues’ 3-1 league win over Sunderland on Saturday was their first game after Jose Mourinho, the club’s most successful manager, was let go last week following a dismal show of results that left Chelsea languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Hiddink, who previously led the Blues to the FA Cup trophy in 2009, will take charge of his first game of his second spell at Stamford Bridge against Watford on Boxing Day.

Pedro Rodriguez has backed Cesc Fabregas to win over the Chelsea supporters.

“It was hard for him but he can get through this”, Pedro said. “He is strong mentally and very competitive”.

“Secondly, I plead with the fans they adapt that reaction for the upcoming games”. It is normal when the team and coach are in this position.

Former Arsenal captain Fabregas played a hugely influential role during the first half of their title-winning campaign last season after Mourinho convinced him to join his one-time rivals during the 2014 summer transfer window.

Fabregas was forced to deny any part in alleged dressing room revolts earlier this season, but Chelsea’s poor form still cost Mourinho his job.

Hiddink recounted telling the squad: “Look in the mirror for a long time and see what everyone from now on can contribute… we cannot ignore what has happened in the recent past but I asked them to look in the mirror and see if you can be ultra-critical”. “Good luck in the future and I know you will be back soon”. “I told them as professionals to look in the mirror and be ultra-critical”.

When Richardson rehashed the quote last week, Nevin said: “Yeah, that was Cesc Fabregas, wasn’t it?”

There have since been suggestions Fabregas was in fact one of Mourinho’s closest allies.

Chelsea winger Pedro has played down reports he wants to leave Stamford Bridge and says he is eager to begin work under Guus Hiddink.