🎤 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Exclusive Interview

In an exclusive OLBG interview, former Chelsea, Leeds and Middlesbrough striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink reflects on his iconic football career and exciting new venture into the world of ballroom dancing. From revealing Strictly secrets to dissecting Chelsea's summer business and England’s Euro 2024 heartbreak, Jimmy doesn’t hold back. Dive into his take on modern football, the players to watch, and who really had the worst dress sense in the dressing room.

Q - Before we dive into everything else, we just wanted to kick things off with a bit of nostalgia — what would you say was your favourite moment from your playing career, and what made it so special?

The standout moment for me was always playing for my country. I think that's always the highest level you can play.

Q - How did joining Strictly Come Dancing actually come about - did you put yourself forward, or did the producers approach you?

I was contacted by the Strictly Come Dancing producers. It's a show that we as a family have always watched - we’ve been watching it for years. It's a show that on weekends, on a Saturday, we’d all sit together, after our dinner, and watch it, and then on Sunday we’d watch the results. It's a big thing for us! In our family, it’s just me and the girls, and they love it!

So, yeah, we've been watching it for years, and I've taken my wife to the studio a couple of times, and the producers must have seen me there, and from there they have asked me if I would participate in it. And my girls have pushed me to be part of it!

Jimmy wil be dancing soon

Q - When you got the call, what was your first reaction? Excited? Nervous?

Nervous, yeah very nervous! It's an unknown for me. It's going to be a place for me where I don't really have the know-how, and I need to learn a new skill. So, yeah - very nervous!

Q - Is there a particular dance you’re dreading taking on?

I think the Latin dances are going to be a real challenge for me.

Q - How do you feel about the famous Strictly costumes? Is there anything you absolutely refuse to wear?

Well, you know that it's a lot of glitter and a lot of stuff like that going on, but look, if you're going to be participating in the show, then you should be open to those kinds of things.

Q - Of the judges, whose critique are you most nervous about facing?

Well, we know how ruthless Craig Revel Horwood can be, so hopefully I can get myself into his good books!

Photo: BBC - Horwood is the Scary Judge

Q - Looking at this year’s lineup - who do you see as your biggest competition on the dancefloor?

All the dancers are amazing, and all the contestants this year are great. I think it will be a very healthy competition, and obviously, everybody is going to want to do well. Otherwise, why do you want to participate?

Q - How much can a contestant really make from doing Strictly? Is it genuinely a good payday, or do most people sign up for the experience?

No, the finances were not a driver for me. The drive is more about showing my girls that I can put myself in a vulnerable position and try to learn a new skill, try to compete and really work hard to become better and be open-minded.

Q - Moving on to footballing matters now, and we'll start with Alexander Isak. What do you think of his actions and behaviours this summer in terms of forcing a move away from Newcastle?

Alexander Isak

Obviously, something has happened behind the scenes at Newcastle, and there are always two sides to the story, but the situation is not good, and I don't like that he has stopped playing football. And that he has been training by himself at Real Sociedad. That's not right.

Newcastle are still paying him, so he should still train with Newcastle and play for Newcastle. He looks like he's a really nice kid, a nice person. So he must have his reasons.

Everybody has got their price in football. But yeah, if I were advising Alexander Isak, I wouldn't have advised him like that.

Q - Generally speaking, do you feel that modern-day players perhaps have too much power that they can do this under contract or do you blame the agents at all?

Obviously, his agent is advising him. His agent must have advised him to do this, and that is not good.

But on the other hand, do they really have too much power now, the players? Because sometimes you see clubs doing things that are also not right towards players. There is always a way to conduct yourself in any situation, and there is always a right way to behave.

Look, Alexander Isak is in this predicament at the moment. He needs to find a solution that needs to become a solution, because Newcastle can't go forward like this.

They can’t keep him, but without him playing any games. And vice versa, he can't stay at a club where he's not going to play, with the World Cup coming up. So a solution will have to be found.

Q - Moving on to Chelsea now, how would you rate their summer business out of 10 in terms of income and outgoings?

Maresca is condusting good business at Chelsea

I think they are doing magnificent business. They are doing absolutely magnificently. Obviously, there are still a few players to go out, but in terms of signings, they have brought in some serious talent. Estevao, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens are all young, really hungry, and talented, and when you put them together with the existing squad, it's very exciting. I don't know if they are finished with their summer spending, but at the moment, Chelsea's squad is really exciting.

Q - Is there anyone that Chelsea have been linked with throughout the window that you would like them to sign at all?

I'm a big fan of Rodrygo. But obviously, Rodrygo is at Real Madrid, and I don't think that he's moving. And Chelsea already have a lot of attackers. And I think they're going to get Alejandro Garnacho, who would be a great buy as well. And then I think they will be done with buying forwards.

They might get Xavi Simons on as well, but that will only happen, I think, if Christopher Nkunku leaves. So yeah, Chelsea have a lot of talent, and a lot of ability. Hopefully, they can harness all that talent and have a great season.

Q - In terms of current Chelsea players, what does Cole Palmer need to do to sort of rediscover his best form that he showed last season?

Cole Palmer finished the season really well in the World Club Cup. He just needs to maintain that form on a regular basis. He knows better than everybody that he can play to that level.

He's an exceptional talent. Hopefully, his current injury is not too bad, and hopefully, he can get back to his normal self. And if he gets back to his normal self, he's a hell of a player. How he plays football, his instincts, it's beautiful to watch.

Q - Was Cole Palmer potentially overhyped during his purple patch of goals last season?

I think he's deserved all the hype. When he was really playing at his true level, he was unstoppable. And his finishing was really, really good. Really calm, calculated. He's just an exceptional talent. Exceptional.

He can play on the right, he can play as a 10. And it's effortless with him, and you don't see that in a lot of players.

Q - Do you think Chelsea can mount a genuine title challenge this season?

Fans hope the bridge will be rocking at the end of the season, and top of the EPL - Image: Lachlan Fearnley/Wikimedia Commons

I think they have to believe that. I think when you put the Chelsea shirt on and when you sign for a club like that, you have to believe that you can become Premier League champions, and you have to try to achieve that. Chelsea can beat anybody on their day. They showed it against PSG in the World Club Cup. So if you can do that, then it's about consistency.

Can you get that consistency week in, week out? And that's the hardest thing in football. If Chelsea can do that, they’ll be very close to Liverpool, Man City, and Arsenal this year.

Q - In terms of their Club World Cup win, where does that rank as a trophy? How important do you and do you think the club hold it in that regard?

The World Club Cup is the best trophy you can win, isn't it? That's why it's the Club World Cup. It's from all continents. People can say, ‘Chelsea shouldn’t have been there, blah, blah’ but they were there, and they were participating, and they won it. I think you need to treat that competition as the best of the best.

The winner's badge is going to be there for four years in the middle of their shirt, and they've deserved it. And hopefully in four years' time they can go and defend it!

Q - Will it come back to bite them in terms of tiredness later in the season?

Well, this is the problem because it's already showing. Cole Palmer got injured before the West Ham game. Levi Colwill has been injured. And their preseason was short - just three weeks. And their season last year was very long. So hopefully they prove me wrong. You know, but I think Chelsea needs to be careful with their players, and where they can, rest certain individuals who have played 60, 70 matches in the last year.

Q - Chelsea play Fulham in a derby on the weekend on Saturday. What are your thoughts on that game, and do you have a score prediction you could give us?

Well, last year Fulham beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This year, Fulham look like a team that is hard to beat. They are very difficult to break down and very difficult to score against. They showed that against Manchester United, they were unlucky not to win that game I thought. So it will be a difficult match for Chelsea.

It will be a very tricky game, but I hope that Chelsea can win 2-1 and take the three points.

Chelsea v Fulham 30 Aug @ 12:30 - Correct Score
Chelsea #2-0	8.50
Draw #1-1	9.00
Chelsea #2-1	9.00
Chelsea #1-0	9.00
Chelsea #3-0	13.00

Q - Moving on to another one of your former clubs, Leeds. How would you rate Leeds’ transfer window so far out of 10?

Leeds, UK. 28th Apr, 2025 // Image: Every Second Media/Alamy Live News

I think it's going to be a tough season for Leeds. They need to make Elland Road a fortress. They need to get the majority of their points at home. They need to get the fans really behind them at Elland Road and make it hostile, and make it a very difficult place to come for opposition teams. Hopefully, the board can give the manager, Daniel Farke a couple more signings. They didn't look good after they conceded the first goal against Arsenal. I didn't like the way they looked. They need to improve in set-pieces against them. They need to become more aggressive and resilient. It's all about staying in the league for Leeds this season.

They will have a chance to do that, but they have to make Elland Road a fortress.

Q - Are there any players out there that you feel they could bring in that would give them that opportunity to stay up?

Well, hopefully they can bring in a couple more, maybe a right back, maybe one centre half.

Maybe a right-winger. Players with experience who have played in the Premier League. If they can do that, yeah, it would be great.

Q - In terms of the players they have brought in, Dominic Calvert-Lewin being one of them, do you think that he's still got the quality to produce the goods in the Premier League, or do you think his better days might be behind him?

He's got the quality, but for me it's about him staying fit. It's about him being in a place where he is going to compete for his team week in, week out. Over the last few years, he's missed too many games, and Leeds can't afford to miss somebody of his stature in too many games.

Can Lewin assist Leeds to EPL Survival?

Q - Do you think Leeds will stay up at the end of the season? And do you think the other two promoted clubs have a chance of staying up this season?

I think Leeds will stay up. I think there are worse teams in the league than them. They did well against Everton at home. They got their three points. Obviously, nobody expected them to win against Arsenal.

Q - Leeds play Newcastle on Saturday, what are your thoughts on that game, and if you've got a score prediction for us for that?

Yeah, Newcastle were really unlucky against Liverpool. They did ever so well with 10 men against a really strong Liverpool team. But obviously, against Leeds it will be a different game. It’s at Elland Road, and the Leeds fans will make it a fortress. Antony Gordon is suspended. So I'm going to say a 1-0 win for Leeds.

Leeds v Newcastle 30 Aug @ 17:30 - Correct Score
Draw #1-1	7.00
Newcastle #2-1	9.50
Newcastle #1-0	10.00
Newcastle #2-0	12.00
Draw #0-0	12.00

Q - How was your bond and relationship with the fans at Leeds? And did you feel the club could have fought harder to keep you there?

Yeah, the fans loved me at Leeds. They loved me until I left. I didn't want to leave, but I left after I had two magnificent years there. It was absolutely magnificent. I loved it. I thought it was great. And yeah, I still go back. Leeds has a special place in my heart. The fans there are amazing, and it's always a different kind of atmosphere at Elland Road. It’s special, really special.

Q - Moving on to Middlesbrough. What was your favourite memory of that UEFA Cup run back in 2006?

Oh wow, wow, that was just so unreal. Playing against FC Basel and Steaua Bucharest, and being so far behind and still coming back. I never expected that I was going to go to Middlesbrough and play in the UEFA Cup final. I had two great years there, I loved it.

It was a totally different club than a Chelsea or a Leeds. I still see Middlesbrough as a Premier League club, though. They've obviously been out of the Premier League way too long. Hopefully, this year, they can make a real go of it and get themselves promoted. They had a good start so far, so hopefully they can maintain that and get themselves back into the promised land.

Q - Do you think Middlesbrough were right to sack Michael Carrick and appoint Rob Edwards?

Rob Edwards

Look, I don't like to see managers getting sacked. Michael Carrick will have learned from it. We, as managers, always get sacked. You can't stop that. I really like Michael Carrick and Rob Edwards, and obviously, Rob Edwards has got on the CV that he's got promotion with Luton. Good luck to him. But I’m sure that Michael Carrick will get another job soon.

Q - Do you think keeping hold of Finn Azaz and Hayden Hackney are key to promotion for Middlesbrough this season?

Keeping Hayden Hackney is key for Middlesbrough. I’m surprised that he hasn’t gone yet. He's the local lad. He definitely makes Middlesbrough stronger. He's a really important player for Middlesbrough mentally, tactically, and ability-wise. So it’ll be very important for them that they can keep him.

Q - Middlesbrough have got a big game against Sheffield United at the weekend. If you could give us a quick score prediction for that one?

Well, Sheffield United haven't started really well. They've lost all three games. Middlesbrough have good momentum, so I would think a 2-1 win for Middlesbrough.

Q - We'll touch on Charlton, another one of your former clubs. How glad are you that they're back in the Championship?

The Valley football ground, Charlton // Heritage Image Partnership Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Nathan Jones has done brilliantly to get Charlton to the Championship and to be competitive in that league. It's a good start. It's about making sure that they stay for the first year in the middle of the league, maintaining themselves, and then start building from there.

Charlton have been out of the Premier League for a long, long, long time. Hopefully, Nathan Jones can bring those days back. But with the resources and everything, it's not going to happen overnight. It's about slowly building. And yeah, he started ever so well there to get them to the Championship already.

Q - Are you confident that Charlton will stay up this season?

Yeah, I am. I think there are a few worse teams than them in the league. The Championship is not predictable. But I think Nathan Jones has got the experience needed to keep them in the league.

Q - Cardiff have made a strong start to life in League One - are you backing them to go up this season?

They have a very young team at Cardiff. My ex-goalkeeping coach, Gavin Ward, is still there, and I still speak to him regularly. He's happy with how they have started and how they are playing. They've got a chance. They're one of the biggest clubs in the league. They have had a really good start and hopefully we can see them back in the Championship next season.

Q - Now we just wanted to touch on your time with the England national side. Obviously, you enjoyed a great spell working on the coaching staff. Where do you think it went wrong for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain?

Spain were just better. They kept the ball better. We tried and tried, but they scored at the right time. We made 1-1 and then they made a 2-1, just when we wanted to make changes to consolidate and to give us a little bit more stability. But they scored in that moment. And sometimes you have to say that your opponent were the better team.

Q - What was the feeling like amongst the squad, the staff, and the players after that game? Did it feel that it was a missed opportunity or, like you say, were Spain just better?

Of course, it felt like a missed opportunity. We went to Germany to win the trophy. That was our mindset, that's what we were going to do. And yeah, even though in the group stages it wasn't as fluent as we wanted to be, we got through as group winners.

And with a little bit of drama, we went through our knock-out round opponents. We won on penalties against Switzerland. We won the semi-final against the Netherlands. I think that was our best footballing performance.

When you go to a tournament, you always have a picture of how you want to play and how you want to be. And we wanted to play better in that whole tournament, but it wasn't meant to be. We didn't get that momentum throughout that we really wanted to get, but we still got to the final. And in the final, we ran into Spain, who had great momentum and a great way of playing, and they had that energy that we didn't have. So yeah, it was an opportunity missed, a big opportunity missed.

Q - In terms of Gareth Southgate, do you know how close he was to staying on after that tournament? Do you think he should have stayed on?

Gareth Southgate

No, I don't know how close Gareth was to staying on. He was obviously there a long time. He did a magnificent job with England. Let's not forget that he took over England when they were struggling, he brought through a lot of young players and gave them the platform to perform.

He must have thought, ‘okay, I don't have the energy to go further, but I've left England in a really healthy place, it's now for somebody else to take it on and to bring England to the next chapter’.

He’s taken England to two finals and one semi-final. So he’s done a hell of a job, a hell of a job. And I think people underestimated that little bit too much.

Q - Who in today’s game reminds you of your own playing style?

Nobody. There are not a lot of great strikers around. It's different, it's different. So, no, nobody really.

Q - Who is the best striker in the world right now?

The best out-and-out striker overall is Alexander Isak. The best goal scorer is Erling Haaland.

Q - Who’s the best striker partnership in the world right now?

I used to like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne at Man City. I think Haaland is trying to get that with Tijjani Reijnders at the moment.

You also have Vinicius Junior and Mbappe but they are not really a couple, really.

It's going to be really interesting if Alexander Isak goes to Liverpool, how it will work with Ekitike and Salah. Will it be too much? Because, especially with Salah, he's always been the main man. How will that new dynamic be?

Q - Be brutally honest - has the standard of defending in the Premier League dropped compared to your era?

Yes, because everybody is more concentrated on the possession of the ball, and so defenders have to be able to pass and be able to participate in the build-up. That is fine, but that means something else is going to give, and that is the defending. The art of defending is being taken away a little bit, and that’s a pity.

Q - Who is one defender that you would never want to face again that you faced in your career?

I wouldn't say ‘never want to face again’, but in my career I came across some really good defenders. Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Jaap Stam, you know, they were really good defenders. But I would never say that I don't want to have to face a challenge!

Q - Who was the toughest defender that you faced out of those?

Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell.

Q - Who's the most underrated player that you played with in your career?

The most underrated player I played with was Eidur Gudjohnsen. He could do anything.

Q - Is there one player that you wish you played with that you never had the opportunity to, whether it's past or present, or current player?

I would have loved to have played with Roy Keane or Patrick Viera.

Q - Which club do you wish you had signed for but never did?

Barcelona. I almost signed for Barcelona, and at the last moment it didn't go through. That was a pity. I've always liked Arsenal as well; they always just struck me as a club with class.

Q - Who was the hardest teammate you ever had?

Dennis Wise. He was crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy.

Q - Who was the hardest player you played against?

Martin Keown and Tony Adams.

Q - Who's the biggest joker you've ever seen in the dressing room?

Gary Kelly, the Leeds right-back.

Q - Who was the most stylish teammate you ever had, and who had the worst fashion sense?

The most stylish Mario Melchiot and the least stylish... gosh, there are a few! But probably Ed de Goey!

Q - What's the most iconic shirt that you look back on that you wore in your career? A football shirt? Is there a particular kit that you loved or you had good memories playing in?

The Ajax kit. Yeah, that was a very powerful kit! Red strip down the middle. White. That's the kit that I was brought up with.