Chelsea's players are growing in confidence that manager Guus Hiddink will stay in charge beyond the summer.

The Dutchman, who only agreed to combine his role as Russia and Chelsea roles until the end of the season, has made a massive impact since taking over from Luiz Felipe Scolari last month.

The Blues are unbeaten in seven games and have secured a place in the FA Cup semi-final, Champions League quarter-final and are back up to second in the Premier League. The players appear rejuvenated under his reign and midfielder Michael Ballack (right) said: "I would love for him to say he is staying for three years. Everybody in the club and around the club can feel he is a great manager and even in a short time he has had a big influence on the team."

Keeper Petr Cech added: "He is a very good coach and we want him to stay. But it is a difficult political situation and we will have to wait to see what happens."

Their hopes have been somewhat lifted by the president of the Russian Football Union, Vitaly Mutko, who gave his first indication that Hiddink's future is not assured.

He said: "At the moment, we have an agreement with Guus Hiddink that he will combine the two posts only till the summer. Of course, everything can change, but we should take into account that, for Hiddink, it is better to work with a national side. He is not only a coach but also an organiser, a politician - not a club man.

"I don't think he would agree to join any club other than Chelsea, and that is not because of his special relationship with Roman Abramovich but because Chelsea is the kind of global side that any coach would like to manage."

Hiddink is certainly enjoying the challenge of leading Chelsea's pursuit for trophies on three fronts, but continues to insist he will go back to his Russia job full-time.

However, Chelsea's chances of signing one of Hiddink's star players in the Russian national team, Yuri Zhirkov, from CSKA Moscow have improved. Standard Sport revealed last summer that Zhirkov, who can play at left back and left wing, was on the wish-list and it has been reported in Russia that Abramovich has already held talks with CSKA president Yevgeni Giner.

CSKA coach Zico is already resigned to losing Zhirkov and said: "He would show all his real potential only playing in such a strong competition as the Premier League.

"I don't like to lose him but I won't stop his move to London."