Monday 18 January 2016 14:43, UK
Guus Hiddink has praised Chelsea captain John Terry's commitment and hinted he should be given a new contract at the club.
Hiddink claims there are few differences between the Terry he coached at Stamford Bridge in 2009 and the one he works with today.
The Dutchman highlighted the importance and influence of his skipper after his last-gasp equaliser against Everton - which he admitted should have been disallowed - rescued a point at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Chelsea have a policy of only offering 12-month contract extensions to players over the age of 30 and Hiddink has intimated he will suggest to the board that Terry should be handed another one-year deal after making his 700th appearance for the club against the Toffees.
Speaking about the 35-year-old, Hiddink told the club's official website: "Not just with his equalising goal, but with his attitude and the actions he did defensively and offensively. His commitment is huge for this team and for the club.
"For me there's not much [difference] between John in 2009 and now. He's fit, he trains well, he takes care of himself, takes a good rest, which you have to do at that age. I cannot see that he is slowing down a bit.
"If I am asked [about a new contract for Terry] I will give my honest opinion about that. If I say what I'm saying now, spontaneously out of my heart, then you can imagine what I think."
Since his return to Chelsea, Hiddink has seen the influence of Terry on his defensive partner Kurt Zouma, who has made 30 appearances for the Blues in all competitions this season.
"Kurt is a very young player, not the type of leader John is yet after many, many years with this huge experience. Kurt has a different way of playing," he said.
Chelsea face Arsenal on Sunday and, despite his praise for Terry, Hiddink admitted his defence must improve, having conceded five goals in their previous two games.
"We had a very busy schedule," Hiddink said. "We're going to have a little bit of rest, to have them recovered, and then we slowly build up to the Arsenal game. I think we will be fresh and I hope everyone is on board for the next game."
He added: "We are unbeaten in the previous six games. It worries me a bit that we are conceding those goals. We have to see where they come from and we will do that very coldly, to analyse it without any emotion."
