Chelsea are a very different club today. They can buy who they like. They don't have to sell anyone, they don't have to get players off the wage bill. If Roman Abramovich stays they could be at the top for the next 20 years.
"I think they're bound to win the title this season. You can't see them losing three games and throwing it away. I'm a big admirer of the way they play.
"They've got some wonderful players like Arjen Robben and Damien Duff, but you still have to mould them and get them to play. Throwing money at it is not enough in itself. You still have to make it work."
That is what Hoddle is now trying to do at Wolves. Still seeking his first win after seven matches in charge, he said:
"We've been very close to winning on five occasions but we keep giving away stupid goals.
" We ' ve played some good football and I'm hoping the FA Cup might just be the tonic we need for our first win."
The locals have acknowledged a welcome change of playing style under Hoddle, although there is a growing feeling that he's unlikely to fulfil his intention of securing a Premiership place before his contract expires at the end of the season.
"The club don't know what the long term holds so we are going to review my situation at the end of the season," said Hoddle. "It's wonderful just to be back in football working with players on the training pitch again." Although no longer working in the Premiership, Hoddle remains one of the foremost English managers in a business increasingly dominated by foreign coaches.
As such he's using his influence to support the growing call for video technology to help referees. "I think it should be introduced at the top level, but only for disputed goals," he said.
"Football is all about goals. They change games. Goals get managers the sack. They make players legends. If the ball is over the line there should be no room for dispute because you feel cheated if you're refused a genuine goal.
"You don't want it to interrupt the flow of the game, but how long can it take to check a piece of film to see whether the ball has crossed the line?"
