Thibaut
Courtois says interim boss Guus Hiddink has restored confidence at Chelsea,
but admits they won't reach the top four this season.
The defending champions lost nine of their first 16 league games, prompting
the club to replace Jose Mourinho with Hiddink, and they have gone eight
games unbeaten under the Dutchman.
However, they remain 13th in the Premier League ahead of the Super Sunday
clash with Manchester United and Courtois says they must now focus on the
Champions League and the FA Cup.
"Now things are changing, we are playing well, and we want to end the season
well," he said in an exclusive interview with Soccer Saturday.
"Realistically, we want to try and win the FA Cup, but the draw we got
against City will be almost like a final.
"The Champions League is a hard one, but in the Premier League we have to
climb the table, and sixth or seventh is quite close.
"Top four is very difficult, as it is already like 14 or 15 points.
"There are four teams competing for the title, so we know they won't drop a
lot of points. We want to get as high as possible, but top four is not
realistic anymore."
Chelsea have picked up 14 points since Mourinho's departure and Courtois,
who returned to the side from injury at the start of December, praised
Hiddink for making some minor tweaks.
And he says the players are training hard ahead of the final months of the
campaign.
He added: "A lot of players have improved their game. Some of the team were
struggling to find their form from last year, which has been the main
problem all season.
"The Premier League is very difficult and if you are not at your top level
then you won't win games. A few players have reached that level again, and
we have started winning games.
"Hiddink has adjusted some small details, he has not changed a lot. On the
training pitch he has restored a bit of confidence. He has had some talks
with the players, and that has helped.
"That bit of confidence can change things. When Diego [Costa] scored that
first goal, he went on to get a few more. Sometimes it is that one moment
that can change everything.
"We train really hard, with a great intensity. If we can transform that onto
the pitch we will do really well."
Courtois also said club captain John Terry, who announced he is set to leave
the club after he was not offered a new contract, will be missed by his
team-mates next season.
"We have to respect the decision from the board and from John Terry. The
other players are not involved," he said.
"Terry has been here 21 years, he is a legend, and will be missed, but it is
a decision from him and board."
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