Chelsea vs Stoke City: Guus Hiddink was wrong to make PSG tie his priority says Mark Hughes

Given his Chelsea history and the way he has transformed Stoke it is surprising Hughes has never seemed a candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge

Stoke City's manager Mark Hughes gestures on the touchline during the match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge (AFP/Getty)

Chelsea minds were elsewhere on Saturday, not on the task in hand against Stoke City, but on Wednesday’s Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

They must overturn a 2-1 deficit conceded in France to reach the last eight and Guus Hiddink’s team reflected this priority. Not only were key players rested or withdrawn early, but his side played as if conserving energy.

Mark Hughes, though happy to benefit, thought his old club was mistaken. The Stoke manager said his team had been “encouraged” by the Chelsea team sheet but added: “In my view Chelsea’s best chance of getting in the Champions League [next season] is by their league position, not by winning the Champions League.”

Chelsea began the day eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester City but Hughes, whose side drew 1-1, said: “Given the run they have had I thought they could get fourth.”

After Mame Biram Diouf struck to cancel out Bertrand Traoré’s fine goal and secure the Potters’ first point at Chelsea since 1984 the Londoners are now 10 points off the last Champions League qualifying place. Hiddink insisted it was never within reach as they needed to overtake not just City but Manchester United, West Ham and others – including Stoke.

Given his Chelsea history and the way he has transformed Stoke it is surprising Hughes has never seemed a candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge. Maybe hiring a failed QPR manager, and ex-Fulham boss, would be too radical but Roman Abramovich has made worse choices.