Petr Cech has had his fair share of admirers since he joined Chelsea in 2004, yet manager Guus Hiddink's assertion that he still regards him as one of the best keepers in the world will hand him a timely boost.

To say the first two-thirds of the season has been a struggle for the Czech Republic international would be an understatement. For the first time in his career questions have been asked over his form, while he has also been accused of being one of the Chelsea players responsible for getting Luiz Felipe Scolari the sack.

Anyone who has met the 25-year-old would argue that he is the last player they would suspect of causing problems off the field but then he also used to be a keeper that regularly commanded his penalty area.

Uncharacteristically, he has been guilty of making a number of high-profile errors this term, including in the humiliating defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool at the start of the year.

The arrival of Hiddink two weeks ago in place of Scolari has seen signs of a resurgence and the return of some much-needed clean sheets in the wins against Aston Villa and Juventus.

There were some notable saves too, which has prompted Hiddink to offer Cech a welcome vote of confidence before tonight's game at Portsmouth.

He said: "From what I have seen in training and in games he is doing well. He made some great saves against Aston Villa and his positioning was good.

"It might not have seemed very spectacular what he did there because there weren't big chances, but if you're not concentrating or aware of your position in front of goal, then you can concede.

"He did a perfect job against Aston Villa and also in the other games. I am very happy with his performances and his coaching and he is still one of the best keepers in the world."

Hiddink is no stranger to working with top-class keepers - he handed Edwin van der Sar his international debut for Holland in 1995. Van der Sar has certainly stolen Cech's limelight this season, especially after breaking his Premier League record for going 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal, which he set in the 2004-5 season.

While the Manchester United No1 has been reliable, Cech has looked a shadow of the man that set such an impressive landmark in his first year here. Of course, he wasn't helped by a bust-up behind the scenes between his favoured keeping coach Christophe Lollichon and Scolari. Cech has worked with Lollichon since they were paired together at Rennes but Scolari tried to sideline the Frenchman in favour of his own choice, Carlos Pracidelli.

It meant Cech's preferred way of preparing to face opponents was disrupted and things turned so sour that Lollichon was even banned from the dressing room for the goalless draw with Hull, which was Scolari's last game in charge.

The Brazilian had also singled Cech out for blame when Chelsea lost two crucial points in the 2-2 draw at Fulham on 28 December. It was a move which not only damaged his self-belief but also cost Scolari some respect.

When he was fired, Pracidelli went too and it is surely no coincidence that Cech looks a bit more like his former self now he has been able to work uninhibited with Lollichon again. Just ask Villa midfielder Gareth Barry or Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero, who both looked to the heavens in disbelief when their superb shots were saved in their club's narrow 1-0 defeats.

Cech is certainly feeling a lot better about things, although significantly revealed the close bonds he enjoys with his team-mates have been a great help.

He said: "There is a new confidence at the back now which will always happen when you don't concede goals against quality teams. The players have always had a great spirit and this is something you can't undermine.

"Actually, I think this is why so many people stay here a long time and why this club has a lot of long-serving players."

At the moment, he is still facing limited competition for his place following the departure of Carlo Cudicini to Tottenham in January.

Hilario has been promoted to the position of back-up keeper on the bench but Chelsea will look to find a replacement for Cudicini in the summer.

They could decide to bring in a more talented shot-stopper to apply more pressure on Cech, who only signed a new five-year contract last summer.

However, having just passed the 200-game barrier for the club, he is unconcerned about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

He added: "I hope I can stay in the team for another 200 games. I've got a five-year contract so I could reach 400 games for Chelsea and I hope that's not my last contract here, either."