Daryl Janmaat feels Newcastle United can end Chelsea's unbeaten run under Dutch countryman Guus Hiddink

Daryl Janmaat feels Newcastle United can end Chelsea's unbeaten run under Dutch countryman Guus Hiddink '“ if they 'go for it'.
Daryl JanmaatDaryl Janmaat
Daryl Janmaat

Steve McClaren’s relegation-threatened side take on the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.

Chelsea have not lost a game since Hiddink returned to the club in late December after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho, who presided over a 2-2 draw at St James’s Park in September.

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Newcastle climbed out of the Premier League’s relegation zone last weekend after beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at St James’s Park thanks to a goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic.

But anything other than a win could see them return to the bottom three.

“It’s a hard game,” said the defender, who played under Hiddink during the 69-year-old’s unsuccessful second spell in charge of Holland.

“That’s really important. Hopefully we can get a point or three.

“That would be good. We have to go for it.”

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On Hiddink, Janmaat added: “Hiddink is a good trainer. He’s had a great career.

“He’s doing well at Chelsea. They are doing better than at the beginning.”

Newcastle – who have won just six league matches so far this season – need at least five wins from their remaining 13 fixtures to be certain of their top-flight status.

Janmaat, however, was buoyed by the team’s performance against West Brom, who spent the bulk of the 90 minutes on the back foot and were fortunate not to be beaten by a greater margin.

“I think it’s deserved,” said the 26-year-old.

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“We were better. It was a really important three points. We had chances to score the second goal – we wanted to score the second goal.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get it, but three points was more important.

“I think we played well. It was a good game, I think. It shouldn’t have been that close.

“I think we were much better and deserved the win. It was important.”

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United, however, have struggled away from home this season, having lost nine games on their travels.

“We need look at every game,” said Janmaat, who gave Newcastle an injury scare against West Brom.

“We need more points – we know that.

“But if we play like this, especially at home, we can do a good job. Hopefully, we can get more points the next few weeks.”

Janmaat went down clutching his leg in the first half against West Brom.

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But the right-back was able to continue after treatment to the relief of head coach McClaren, who had been down to the bare bones in defence ahead of the match.

“I got a nick on that leg,” he said. “It’s OK.”

McClaren fielded winger Rolando Aarons out of position at left-back against West Brom, while fit-again Steven Taylor made his first start since late August.

And the pair helped the club keep only its fifth clean sheet of the campaign.

“That was good,” said Janmaat. “I think Rolando was brilliant at left-back. That’s good. Steven Taylor as well, he had a brilliant game.

“Credit to them, they were out for a long time.”

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Meanwhile, questions over the futures of Hiddink and captain John Terry won’t go away at 13th-placed Chelsea.

Hiddink was only appointed until the end of the season, while long-serving Terry doesn’t expect to be handed a new deal in the summer when his contract runs out.

Forward Willian expects John Terry’s career at Stamford Bridge to come to an end this summer.

Terry made his debut for the club in 1998, and has racked up nearly 700 appearances during a trophy-laden time in west London.

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The 35-year-old wants to extend his contract past the summer, but team-mate Willian feels the defender will soon be departing.

“I think he would like to stay longer with us,” said Willian.

“Unfortunately, it seems he won’t be able to remain as a Chelsea player.

“The club won’t probably extend his contract.

“I can just wish him the best of luck for the rest of his career.”

The Brazil international added: “He is definitely one of the greatest or maybe the greatest player of Chelsea’s history.

“He’s won everything for this club. He is respected by all of us.”