The Blues have been stung by reports of discontent in the dressing room with skipper John Terry hinting that Luiz Felipe Scolari was not supported by all players.

Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack have both emphatically denied agitating for the removal of Hiddink's predecessor, who departed Stamford Bridge 10 days ago.

One of the tasks facing Hiddink has been to asses player morale yet during his first week in charge the Dutchman has found only harmony.

"I am not totally naive," said Hiddink, speaking to the English media for the first time this morning.

"I wanted to see whether anything which has been said about the recent past is true.

"You can see when you play games whether the players get emotional.

"You can't mask things then - you show your emotions and show whether you get at a certain player.

"But I haven't seen that. They respect each other. What I noticed is that they are a united squad.

"There are 20-plus players and I'm realistic enough to know that one to 11 will be very happy and the rest will want to play.

"But they know they are in a big club and that not everyone can play.

"I'm not fully aware of the struggles that went on before and I'm not that interested in what people assume to be struggles.

"I've noticed how people behave and how people do or don't get on with each other, but in my view that has not happened so far.

"I have watched the team from a little distance in the locker room over the last few days and I can't see any division."

Hiddink will perform his Chelsea duties alongside his role as Russia coach, a post he is contracted to hold up to and including the 2010 World Cup.

However, a successful spell at Stamford Bridge would raise serious doubts over his departure with his close relationship with Roman Abramovich potentially smoothing the permanent transition from Russia to Chelsea.

But the 62-year-old is adamant he remains committed to Russia and only took the Blues position because of convenient gaps in the international fixture list.

"The situation is that Chelsea made a decision. They asked me to help until the end of the season," he said.

"I have a full-hearted obligation with the Russian Football Federation which I will fulfil until the end of the season.

"The international calendar is such that at the end of March there are two games and then nothing until June.

"If the schedule had been different, it would have been difficult. So I will go back in March and then again at the end of May.

"I'm here until the end of the season and with regards to who Chelsea are signing after that, it's up to them not me."

Hiddink's first match in charge is tomorrow's crucial Barclays Premier League clash with third-placed Aston Villa.

Chelsea sit 10 points behind Manchester United but Hiddink refuses to concede the title race and is determined to finish the season with some silverware.

"Realistically it's difficult to catch United. If you're leading with 10 points you feel comfortable. But things can change in a few minutes," he said.

"In the other two competitions Chelsea are still in the race. That's the challenge - I'm not just here to pass time until the end of the season.

"The players are used to winning trophies so let's try and repeat it. If we don't we can't be happy.

"The priority is Villa Park. It's the cliche answer - the next game is the most important. After that it's Juventus."

ends