"John said what he said (on Sunday) and he's entitled to do that, with his contract expiring, to make up his mind.
"I don't want to overvalue the attention we're giving on this, but
the club still wants to have a dialogue. It was a bit surprising he
talked about it but he's entitled to do so.
"There was no specific decision (made by the club). It's early and we
have to see what's coming up with the new manager as well. The door is
not shut, dialogue is also possible.
"John's statistics and the view we, and I, have on him, is that he's
very fit. He's not what you normally see at a player in 35, who you can
feel get slower, are in the danger zone and getting into red cards.
"None of that applies to John. He's fit, doing what he's doing. I'm
convinced he will be very professional, but always work hard as well
despite the situation."
Chelsea not only gave Cahill and Ivanovic new deals without feeling
the need to wait for the new coach, but also sold Ramires to Jiangsu
Suning for £25m and considered off-loading Loic Remy too.
But Hiddink maintained: "You have to see every issue as an individual case. Remy or Ramires is nothing to do with John's case.
"At this point you're right (bit of a contradiction in approach), but
he's one of key players and is still one of the key players. It's not
up to me (if he plays next season)."
Chelsea take on Watford tomorrow night, but the game will come too soon for new signings Alexandre Pato and Matt Miazga.
Pato, who joined on loan from Corinthians, has had to fly in and out
of the country to get his visa situation sorted out, although was
expected to return to training today.
Miazga was signed from New York Red Bulls for £3.5m, but the centre half is also not fit enough to be part of the squad.
Loic Remy (calf) and Radamel Falcao (thigh) are still ruled out
through injury, while Willian (foot) is still doubtful despite returning
to training today.
Chelsea laboured to a 2-2 draw over Watford in what was Hiddink's
first official game in charge on Boxing Day after taking over from Jose
Mourinho.
He admits they face a tough task tomorrow night to continue their nine-game unbeaten run.
He added: "They did give us a difficult game a few weeks ago and are a
very dangerous team, the strikers (Troy Deeney and Odion Igahlo) are
dangerous.
"Quique Flores (Watford manager) was my player (at Valencia) and I
know how he can construct a team to be solid and hard to beat.
"My first experience of Watford was an FA Cup game (in his first
spell at Chelsea in 2009). It was rather easy (Chelsea won 3-1 when Ray
Wilkins officially was in charge and Hiddink watched from the stands).
"Nowadays it's impossible to think like that. The gap between top clubs and lower is reduced."
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