Hiddink Return To Chelsea? – Will He Or Won’t He?

So, a month on and still no one to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea manager.

The ‘closed season’ always turns out to be one of speculation, disappointment and sometimes, excitement when we either sign players or lose them to our rivals, but, in most cases we have a manager in charge to advise Roman on where to spend his money.

Rumours abound about those who may be hired to the poisoned chalice role of Chelsea manager, and whoever comes in will know from previous appointments, that failure to succeed is not an option, and will see their P45 winging its way towards them should a ‘trophy free’ season be forthcoming.

The favourite with the bookies seems to be former part time Chelsea boss, Guus Hiddink. Guus of course came it save us from the mire when he arrived  as a part time manager to replace Scolari in February 2009, during which time lead the club to an FA Cup final win and only one Premiership lose.

There is paper talk that Hiddink has already asked Roman Abramovich to look at certain players, one being Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan, the 27 year old would fetch around £30M. Of course, these are all rumours and Hiddink is still contracted to his job in Turkey until the end of 2012 and may cost Chelsea around £4M in compensation to get their man.

So, we all wait to see what will happen, I hope the club have this sorted soon as pre season approaches quickly. And, I can’t believe that Ancelotti would have been sacked without a ‘plan B’, we shall see.

In the meantime, expect even more transfer speculation until the window closes, and to wet your appetite, here are a few to keep you going:

Neymar, Santos – Roman Abramovich is desperate to sign young, emerging talents and Neymar is one of these. The 19 year-old almost came to Chelsea in the last transfer window but instead signed a new contract keeping him at Santos until 2014, he is  believed to be desperate for a move abroad.

An energetic, pacy striker with a keen eye for goal. He already has three strikes in four games for Brazil. Price to get him would be around £20M.

Luca Modric, Tottenham – Modric has the x-factor which could rekindle Abramovich’s zest for his one-time favourite plaything. A class act at Spurs, Modric is thought to be looking for Champions League football next season and would move across the capital should Levy and Harry decide to let him go.

Modric is comfortable on the ball and not afraid to work up a sweat to help out the team. Rumours are he would cost around £30M, both Man Utd and Man City are also interested in the Spurs attacking midfielder.

Alexis Sanchez, Udinese – Chelsea are in the market for a player who could inject some pace into their wide-play, and Sanchez, who is only 22, is the stand-out candidate. He has impressed hugely at Udinese and, the Italian club rejected a £20M bid from Galatasaray last summer.

Very much a  Cristiano Ronaldo type of player but not in that class yet, would make a great addition to the squad especially if the rumours of Malouda leaving are true. The figure of £20M is probably what he would cost now and again, both Manchester clubs, plus Inter Milan, look to be interested.