England legend Frank Lampard believes Chelsea's interim manager Guus Hiddink is the perfect candidate to transform the fortunes of his former club, who remain just six points above the relegation zone.

"Well I know Guus from working with him before, he's a perfect manager to come in at a difficult time because he's got a very good way about him. He'll be settling the dressing room, trying to get the best out of the players again and trying to get them to up their level. I think he is a perfect choice for the club considering the position they're in.

"He's a very good man and he deals with players very well so I'd like to think that you're going to see an improvement from Chelsea now, I don't know how high up the table they can get but I think he's going to help them," said Lampard, who now plays for MLS team New York FC.

Dutchman Hiddink said last week that the Blues were involved in a relegation battle this season after a woeful start to the campaign saw them lose nine of their first 16 league games.

"I don't think they'll get relegated, I really really can't see Chelsea getting relegated. He's probably saying it... there will be some kind of thinking to him saying that because he needs to let the players know where they are in the table and by saying that you are saying to them 'come on, we're too good to be in this relegation battle', which they kind of are, but I can't see them getting relegated," added Lampard.