Frank Rijkaard's candidacy for the Chelsea job is gaining strength with every game Guus Hiddink succeeds in.

While the Dutchman will leave in the summer for his Russian job, Hiddink's standing at Chelsea is such that owner Roman Abramovich will struggle to resist his recommendation when it comes to naming a successor, says The Times.

While AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is Abramovich's favourite, Hiddink will favour Rijkaard, whose agent only yesterday declared the former Barcelona coach was ready to work in the Premier League.