(Video): Former striker says something many fans will disagree with about Chelsea’s “breathtaking” football | OneFootball

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was on Jon Obi Mikel’s podcast this week, and gave his thoughts on Enzo Maresca’s time in charge.

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Former striker Hasselbaink super positive over Maresca impact

“I like him. I think he’s done a exceptionally well with a lot of trouble [behind the scenes],” Hasselbaink said.

“He has a style of how to play, like it or not – he has a style and he stayed with that. He kept true to himself, and at times it was breathtaking to watch. When teams found us out, we had some difficulties sometimes, but I think players need to step up at times, because you’re going to have those moments. He has delivered, he has got the team to a certain place at the important time of the season – the latter end of the season. When they start playing for something, they were focused and got results.”

Generous Hasselbaink sees positives of manager’s first season

We can’t help but think that was a little kind – “breathtaking” is not something we really associate with Maresca’s football, even though it did get results in the end. Let’s hope the entertainment factor goes up a little next season.

It’s also hard to argue that Maresca “kept true to himself”, when the team actually played very different football in the first few months of the season. He has gradually shifted back towards his original style, that’s for sure, but he mixed it up early last season when it was clear from preseason that the group weren’t yet ready to embrace his style fully.

For a first season it went well, all things considered, and we’re excited to see what the coach can build on it going forward.

You can see JFH speaking in the clip embedded here: