Reminiscing Hassalbaink

Jimmy Floyd Hassalbaink took the EPL by storm. He finished top scorer in the league in his first season at Chelsea. Before this he was at Athlectico Madrid where he was top scorer in the Spanish league (it didn't help their relegation though).

He is one player I didn't want to see exit Chelsea. Especially being labelled 'surplus to requirement' with the other players to be offloaded is an insult. With Kezman still finding his feet at scoring and Mutu unlikely to play for Chelsea ever again, I feel we miss someone like Hassalbaink in the team. He is a proven prolific scorer. Initially he was always branded as a hard hitting striker, blasting in goals with thunderous strength. But at Chelsea he has evolved into a support player as well. Linking up with Gudjohnson so well both formed the most formidable partnership with more goals to rival the Yorke/Cole striker force of Man U. Many times Hassalbaink can be seen dropping back to suck in defenders and releasing midfielders like Lampard, Petit, Zenden and Gronkjaer into the box with exquisite passes into the box. His upperbody strength is tremendous to hold off challenges and shield the ball. He doesn't bend his free kicks like Beckham but he still scores them well. He has become an intelligent player and now plying his trade in Middlesbrough, I notice his game is still the same. Whatever he lacks in pace he makes up in work rate and precise reading of the game. And scoring a hatful of goals occasionally just affirm the fact that his services to Middlesbrough will only propel them to the top half of the league and a possible Uefa Cup placing.

Hassalbaink is a player with great determination and dedication to Chelsea. He is the best striker in the world and unfortunately it is a great loss to see him go. I now watch Middlesbrough matches as well this season for his performances. Here's hoping that Mourinho will come to his senses and bring back the striker who is so well loved by the Chelsea faithful.