Swansea City vs Chelsea FC - Guidolin challenges Swansea to create history

Posted Friday, April 08, 2016 by PA

Francesco Guidolin has challenged his Swansea players to create history against Chelsea.

Swansea have never beaten the Blues in the Barclays Premier League and suffered their heaviest home defeat in 24 years when the champions romped to a 5-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium last season.

Although Swansea did manage a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, Chelsea's last league defeat in this fixture came in an old second division meeting at the Vetch Field in April 1981.

Chelsea's hopes of European football next season remain a faint prospect, but they have not lost in the league since Guus Hiddink took charge in December.

"We can change our history - we have that possibility," said Guidolin, who has already overseen Swansea's first-ever league win over Everton during his short stay in south Wales.

"Chelsea are a good, important team and they have not lost (in the league) under Hiddink.

"But we can play well and produce a good match.

"I think we can play with aggression, courage and character. No fears.

"What happens, I don't know, but we can play like this."

Swansea inched closer to safety last weekend by drawing 2-2 at Stoke, despite being 2-0 down inside the final quarter.

The draw took Swansea to 37 points, 10 clear of the relegation zone, and within three of the survival target that Guidolin has set his players.

"We want three points for safety, if we win it is complete I think," said Guidolin.

"In the first half at Stoke we were in situations to be dangerous, but we lost the last pass in the final third.

"In the second half we played well with freedom and more concentration, intensity and conviction. I was happy with it.

"The players had greater urgency and believed we could get a result, and now it is possible that we can beat Chelsea."

Striker Andre Ayew has shaken off an ankle problem and is available for the game but midfielder Leon Britton and defender Jordi Amat are both struggling with back problems and could miss out.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte can still attract the leading players to Chelsea in the absence of Champions League football, according to interim boss Guus Hiddink.

The 46-year-old Conte was this week confirmed as Jose Mourinho's permanent successor and will take charge once Italy's European Championship campaign has concluded this summer.

Chelsea won the Premier League last season, but are 10th entering this weekend's fixture at Swansea, their hopes of Champions League qualification over.

Yet Hiddink maintains Conte's arrival as head coach can ensure the Blues keep their best talent and attract key signings needed to restore Chelsea to the level of title contenders.

"The CV of a manager can also attract players," Hiddink said.

"He's showing he wants to come here, knowing Chelsea will not play Champions League next year.

"Coming in is showing that commitment, that might attract players."

Conte is likely to have a major say over whether John Terry will stay at Stamford Bridge next season.

The 35-year-old is out of contract this summer and revealed in January he would be leaving the Blues, who maintain the offer of a new one-year deal could be forthcoming.

Should Terry move on, then Conte will have to fill the void defensively and in leadership without an established 'old guard'.

"That's an extra complication," added Hiddink, who is in his second caretaker spell at Chelsea.

"When I came here, going back in history, in 2009 there was also this transition, but at that time the team was firm regarding the personalities.

"There were players who knew the culture of English football, but especially the culture of the club, like (Frank) Lampard, John Terry, (Michael) Ballack, (Michael) Essien, (Didier) Drogba.

"Now it's a bit different, and it's not easy. But they're well aware and full of brightness and energy to get it restored."

Hiddink spoke to Conte, who won the Serie A title three times with Juventus, on Tuesday when the Italian visited Chelsea's Surrey training base to meet the players.

"I had a short meeting with him about general things," added Hiddink, who is happy to continue to help Chelsea on an informal basis.

"It's always a big job, regardless (of) the circumstances Chelsea has been in this year.

"He is equipped and he is able and he's used to the pressure at big clubs to win titles.

"If needed I'm available for the club. This is a club which I love very much."

Terry (Achilles), Eden Hazard (hip/groin), Diego Costa (suspended), Loic Remy (calf) and Nemanja Matic (bruised leg) are all out.

Remy may not play again this season, so Alexandre Pato could make his first start or Radamel Falcao could make his first appearance since October following a thigh problem.

Defender Gary Cahill (hip) faces a fitness test.