Former Chelsea striker explains why €30m signing might struggle at first | OneFootball

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was on Jon Obi Mikel’s podcast this week, and as a former Chelsea striker he was asked all about the new number 9 at the club, Liam Delap.

Hasselbaink said he was a big fan of the former Ipswich man, and gave some detail on how he thought things would be more difficult for him after making the move in some ways, as well as how important it would be to start strong.

Hasselbaink on Delap’s adaptation period and hopes for a fast start

JFH on JOM’s podcast.

“I do like him. But it’s only his first year in the Premier League. Very good for his first season. Very, very, very good. And in a struggling side,” the former Chelsea and Leeds striker said.

“But it’s going to be different for him playing [at Chelsea], as you know, normally Chelsea are very dominant, so he won’t get a lot of space around the box. Unlike playing for Ipswich, where you’ve got a lot of space behind the opposition defenders. So it’s a different kind of play,” the Dutch gunman continued.

“I hope [to see him score lots of goals early], then his development will go easier. But if he struggles in the beginning with goals, it’s a mental game for a striker, it’s a mental game. The moment you start feeling good, you can move mountains.”

Delap faces testing adaptation period

The tactical adaptation is one thing – while Delap will certainly be facing deeper blocks for Chelsea than he did at Ipswich, that will hopefully be more than made up for by the chances he’s having created for him by his teammates keeping the ball much higher up the pitch.

He will have to adapt, but should benefit in the long run. His first battle is earning a starting spot.