John Obi Mikel has attributed Chelsea’s mini-revival under Guus Hiddink to his ability to communicate with his players, something that he suggests Jose Mourinho lacked.
Mikel has established himself as a key figure in the Blues’ recent turnaround, completing five of the six Premier League games since Hiddink took over having been very much on the periphery under former manager Mourinho.
The champions are unbeaten since Hiddink’s arrival and Mikel believes it is down to the squad responding to their new boss’s ability to interact with his players.
The Nigerian confirmed that the mood at Stamford Bridge is better than it was under Mourinho, telling BBC Sport: “Yes, the mood is better, I think that’s what [Hiddink] has brought into the football club.
“He’s so calm and so relaxed, just the way he communicates with the players – and maybe that’s what the players felt they didn’t get from the previous manager [Mourinho].
“Sometimes with players – not just because they’re not playing – you need to communicate with them, speak to them, and don’t just ignore them because players like to be communicated to.”
By Goal.com
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