London: Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink says the intensity of the Premier League has increased since his first stint with the club in 2009 with all clubs now attracting big-name players across Europe.

Hiddink, who won the FA Cup during his first spell, took over from Jose Mourinho last month and has guided Chelsea on a six-game unbeaten run in the league, which has helped them climb up the table to 14th after 22 games.

The Blues, however, remain just six points above the relegation zone, after their woeful start to the campaign saw them lose nine of their first 16 league games.

“Generally, I think the intensity in the league is higher and nowadays you see there are many clubs who can compete on a high level, due to the fact they also have more possibilities to sign players,” Hiddink told the club’s website (www.chelseafc.com).

“Nowadays, you see teams halfway or over halfway up the league, which in the past you would normally not expect to be there, like Crystal Palace, Watford and Leicester.

“These were teams normally nearer the bottom or the second tier, but they are doing very well. Because they have made good signings, everyone now is capable of beating everyone else and you can see that in the results.” Interim boss Hiddink also said he will consider allowing the club’s academy players to find their feet in the first team before he departs the club in May, but only if they can survive the demands of English football.

“We are trying to help. It is not easy to survive in the league but when we have the possibilities, if one is knocking on the door, maybe — but I don’t give any guarantees — we can see one or two players playing by May,” the Dutchman said.

Meanwhile, two big signings struggling for Premier form near the opposite end of the table look set to be remaining at their respective clubs.

Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony has dismissed British media reports linking him with a return to former club Swansea City during the January transfer window, saying that he is happy at the Etihad Stadium.

“I’m happy at the club, all this speculation is not true. I have a contract so I’m happy and I think I’m at one of the top clubs in the United Kingdom,” the 27-year-old told the BBC.

Bony has played second fiddle to Aguero for much of his career at City, having made 27 Premier League appearances since he joined the club in January 2015, 16 of which were as a substitute.

“I have no regrets about joining Man City. We play in the Champions League and we’re one of the top clubs in the world. I’m happy here and I can just say I’m blessed,” the Ivory Coast international said.

And Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed Christian Benteke, often a substitute under the German’s reign so far, as the “complete striker” — and said having the 25-year-old on the bench is a sign of the quality available within the squad.

— Reuters