Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: Chelsea Legend and Premier League Icon
The Player
Jerrel Floyd Hasselbaink, born on March 27, 1972, in Paramaribo, Suriname, became one of the Premier League’s most feared strikers during his illustrious career. Known professionally as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, he earned this nickname early in his career when a Portuguese club chairman told the press he had signed a player named Jimmy to keep the signing secret, and the name stuck for the rest of his career.
Chelsea Career: The Golden Years
Record-Breaking Arrival
In May 2000, Chelsea signed Hasselbaink from Atlético Madrid for a club record fee of £15 million, matching the then-transfer record for an English club. This investment would prove to be one of the Blues’ shrewdest signings of the era.
His impact was immediate. He scored on his Chelsea debut in the 2000 FA Charity Shield, helping the Blues secure a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
Premier League Dominance
Hasselbaink’s first season at Stamford Bridge was nothing short of spectacular. He netted 23 goals in 35 league appearances during the 2000-01 campaign, winning the Premier League Golden Boot. His memorable performances included scoring four goals in a 6-1 demolition of Coventry City on October 21, 2000.
The powerful striker formed a formidable partnership with Icelandic forward Eiður Guðjohnsen. During the 2001-02 season, Hasselbaink scored 29 goals in all competitions while Guðjohnsen contributed 23, as Chelsea reached the FA Cup final.
Notable Achievements at Chelsea
On his 32nd birthday, March 27, 2004, Hasselbaink came on as a 60th-minute substitute and scored a hat-trick as Chelsea rallied from behind to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-2. This made him the only player in Chelsea’s history to score three times after coming on as a substitute.
During his four-year spell at Chelsea, Hasselbaink proved exceptional value for money, averaging nearly a goal every two games and helping the club qualify for the Champions League twice.
Career Before Chelsea
Before joining Chelsea, Hasselbaink had already established himself as a prolific goalscorer. He joined Leeds United for £2 million before the 1997-98 season and won the Premier League Golden Boot award in 1999. He then moved to Atlético Madrid for £10 million, where he reached the Copa del Rey final despite the club’s relegation from La Liga.
Life After Chelsea
Hasselbaink left Chelsea in 2004 and continued his career with Middlesbrough, where he finished as the club’s top scorer with 13 goals in 36 Premier League games in the 2004-05 season. He later played for Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City before retiring in 2008.
International Career
Hasselbaink earned nine goals in 23 matches during a four-year international career for the Netherlands national team, appearing at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Managerial Career
After retirement, Hasselbaink transitioned into coaching and management. His managerial career included:
- Royal Antwerp (2013-2014): His first managerial position in Belgian football
- Burton Albion (2014-2015, 2021-2022): Led them to promotion as League Two champions in his first season
- Queens Park Rangers (2015-2016): Managed the Championship side for 11 months
- Northampton Town (2017-2018): Brief spell in League One
In March 2023, Hasselbaink joined the England national team coaching staff under Gareth Southgate, reuniting with his former Middlesbrough teammate. He departed this role in August 2024 following Southgate’s resignation after England’s UEFA Euro 2024 final defeat.
Current Activities
Since leaving the England setup, Hasselbaink has established himself as a football pundit, frequently contributing to Sky Sports and appearing on BBC and ITV broadcasts. In September 2025, he debuted as a contestant on the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, partnering with professional dancer Lauren Oakley.
Legacy
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remains one of Chelsea’s most beloved strikers from the pre-Abramovich era. His combination of power, finishing ability, and consistency made him one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards. With 245 career goals across ten clubs and 18 seasons, he left an indelible mark on English football, particularly at Stamford Bridge where he’s fondly remembered as one of the club’s greatest goalscorers.
The Player
Jerrel Floyd Hasselbaink, born on March 27, 1972, in Paramaribo, Suriname, became one of the Premier League’s most feared strikers during his illustrious career. Known professionally as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, he earned this nickname early in his career when a Portuguese club chairman told the press he had signed a player named Jimmy to keep the signing secret, and the name stuck for the rest of his career.
Chelsea Career: The Golden Years
Record-Breaking Arrival
In May 2000, Chelsea signed Hasselbaink from Atlético Madrid for a club record fee of £15 million, matching the then-transfer record for an English club. This investment would prove to be one of the Blues’ shrewdest signings of the era.
His impact was immediate. He scored on his Chelsea debut in the 2000 FA Charity Shield, helping the Blues secure a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.
Premier League Dominance
Hasselbaink’s first season at Stamford Bridge was nothing short of spectacular. He netted 23 goals in 35 league appearances during the 2000-01 campaign, winning the Premier League Golden Boot. His memorable performances included scoring four goals in a 6-1 demolition of Coventry City on October 21, 2000.
The powerful striker formed a formidable partnership with Icelandic forward Eiður Guðjohnsen. During the 2001-02 season, Hasselbaink scored 29 goals in all competitions while Guðjohnsen contributed 23, as Chelsea reached the FA Cup final.
Notable Achievements at Chelsea
On his 32nd birthday, March 27, 2004, Hasselbaink came on as a 60th-minute substitute and scored a hat-trick as Chelsea rallied from behind to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-2. This made him the only player in Chelsea’s history to score three times after coming on as a substitute.
During his four-year spell at Chelsea, Hasselbaink proved exceptional value for money, averaging nearly a goal every two games and helping the club qualify for the Champions League twice.
Career Before Chelsea
Before joining Chelsea, Hasselbaink had already established himself as a prolific goalscorer. He joined Leeds United for £2 million before the 1997-98 season and won the Premier League Golden Boot award in 1999. He then moved to Atlético Madrid for £10 million, where he reached the Copa del Rey final despite the club’s relegation from La Liga.
Life After Chelsea
Hasselbaink left Chelsea in 2004 and continued his career with Middlesbrough, where he finished as the club’s top scorer with 13 goals in 36 Premier League games in the 2004-05 season. He later played for Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City before retiring in 2008.
International Career
Hasselbaink earned nine goals in 23 matches during a four-year international career for the Netherlands national team, appearing at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Managerial Career
After retirement, Hasselbaink transitioned into coaching and management. His managerial career included:
- Royal Antwerp (2013-2014): His first managerial position in Belgian football
- Burton Albion (2014-2015, 2021-2022): Led them to promotion as League Two champions in his first season
- Queens Park Rangers (2015-2016): Managed the Championship side for 11 months
- Northampton Town (2017-2018): Brief spell in League One
In March 2023, Hasselbaink joined the England national team coaching staff under Gareth Southgate, reuniting with his former Middlesbrough teammate. He departed this role in August 2024 following Southgate’s resignation after England’s UEFA Euro 2024 final defeat.
Current Activities
Since leaving the England setup, Hasselbaink has established himself as a football pundit, frequently contributing to Sky Sports and appearing on BBC and ITV broadcasts. In September 2025, he debuted as a contestant on the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, partnering with professional dancer Lauren Oakley.
Legacy
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remains one of Chelsea’s most beloved strikers from the pre-Abramovich era. His combination of power, finishing ability, and consistency made him one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards. With 245 career goals across ten clubs and 18 seasons, he left an indelible mark on English football, particularly at Stamford Bridge where he’s fondly remembered as one of the club’s greatest goalscorers.