Hasselbaink: ‘I'm excited for Chelsea and the strikers they have now’

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink entertained Stamford Bridge crowds at the start of the millennium and knows what it takes to earn their applause.

Chelsea have added Timo Werner to their attacking ranks. This bolsters their striking options, with the German competing with Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink knows first hand what it takes to lead Chelsea. He scored 87 goals for the Blues, forging a lethal partnership with Eidur Gudjhonsen.

Hasselbaink is pleased with the prospects available to Frank Lampard. The Dutchman hailed the available options and believes they improve the squad with their differing abilities.

“I’m excited for Chelsea and the strikers they have now,’ the 48-year-old told Chelsea.com. ‘Tammy [Abraham] and [Timo] Werner are both improving in different aspects of their play and their careers.

“Tammy is young so he has things to learn and improve on but what I’ve been impressed with is his movement, which you could see got better throughout the last season.”

Many pundits have questioned Abraham’s career trajectory. The English forward impressed at the start of the season but lost his place in the squad during Project Restart.

Hasselbaink believes the Three Lions star will prove his mettle and deliver what is expected of him in the coming campaign.

“It was a season with great pressure for him, leading the line for a big team with big expectations.

“Now he has the pressure of not only repeating that, but building on it and taking his game to the next level to continue his progress. That challenge can bring the best out of players – those with the right attitude and desire to succeed.

“With Olivier Giroud behind him, Tammy has a great teacher. I was impressed with how he [Giroud] finished the season and Tammy can learn so much from him, like how he holds up the ball. That’s a vital part of a striker’s game.”

Chelsea begin their 2020/21 Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion.