LONDON -- Guus Hiddink insists loan strikers Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao will continue to be afforded his "fair judgement" in team selection, despite Chelsea playing only for pride in the final weeks of the season.
Pato was rewarded with a starting spot against Swansea earlier this month after marking his long-awaited Chelsea debut with a goal from the penalty spot in a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, while Falcao made his first appearance in five months as a substitute at the Liberty Stadium.
The cause of both men was helped by Diego Costa's three-game suspension in the wake of his red card against Everton in last month's FA Cup quarterfinal defeat at Goodison Park, but the Spain international was restored to Chelsea's starting XI for Saturday's 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
With youngster Bertrand Traore also impressing during his time on the pitch, some have suggested that there is little point in picking Pato or Falcao at his expense as neither man is likely to be at Stamford Bridge next season.
However, Hiddink insists he must give everyone in his squad an equal chance.
"Yes [it is difficult], but I have to make a fair judgement on this, and we have given them the opportunity to prove themselves in training sessions, though not in a lot of games," Hiddink said of Pato and Falcao.
"In January we had a big problem with just Diego Costa [fit]. Remy was injured long-term, Falcao was injured long-term and Traore was not yet at the level where he could get the chance. He did very well very quickly and then we got Pato on loan.
"I make the judgement fairly to give the players time to play, but there's competition among them. We'll see with the next manager whether their futures are here or outside."
Chelsea face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday hoping to arrest a run that has seen them win only one of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Hiddink admits it is important for the fallen Premier League champions to try and regain their aura ahead of Antonio Conte's arrival in the summer.
"Yes, and on top of that all the clubs will have the possibility to sign very good players and that will make it more difficult for more established clubs," he added. "Chelsea must be aware that the opposition will grow as well."