Guus Hiddink explains Nemanja Matic's recent absences from Chelsea lineups

Since his takeover at Chelsea, and before having to resort to playing the youth, manager Guus Hiddink introduced only one real change over Mourinho's preferred starting line-ups. Hiddink brought John Obi Mikel back into the fold, the midfielder becoming a first-choice player for the first time in a several years, at the expense of Nemanja Matic, who saw his role reduced after being one of the key players of Chelsea's successful campaign last season.

For the most part, Mikel has done a good job at holding midfielder, but he didn't cover himself in glory in our last game against Manchester City.  Then again, neither did anyone else.  So maybe it's time to give Matic a chance again?

"Every now and then he has played, he has made his minutes as well in my period. When you choose a midfield you can play with Fàbregas, Matic and an attacking midfielder player like Loftus-Cheek did against Manchester City."

"But you can also play with Mikel and I have played him from the start and he is doing well. I appreciate Matic as well but they have to accept the situation as it is. Nevertheless, he has made his minutes."

"In some positions you have two strong players and then I have to make a choice. When we play Fàbregas with his creative play, then we pick a player to compensate [defensively] like Mikel, who can cover but is also good at short passing."

-Guus Hiddink; source: London 24

It's been hard to witness Matic's downfall after his return to and tremendous 18 months at Chelsea. But if there's any glimmer of hope of Matic getting himself back to his world-class status, we will only get to find that out if he gets on the pitch.  Hopefully Hiddink will change his mind in the final few games and give the big Serbian Spider a run-out.  He just might have a bit more of motivation than the rest of our squad at the end of this dreadful season.