Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the club, despite an encouraging opening-day victory, is still some distance from being a complete team capable of challenging for the Premier League title this season. He pointed to defensive frailties and a lack of consistency as key areas needing significant improvement under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Early Optimism Tempered by Defensive Concerns
Chelsea began their 2026/27 campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Fulham, showcasing an attacking flair that saw forwards Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer all find the back of the net. This result has injected a renewed sense of optimism among the fanbase, buoyed by the arrival of manager Enzo Maresca and a significant summer investment in new players and a revised transfer strategy. The club aims to return to the pinnacle of English football after a disappointing tenth-place finish last term, which saw multiple managerial changes.
However, Hasselbaink, speaking on talkSPORT, cautioned against premature title declarations. While acknowledging the positive attacking displays, he highlighted moments of defensive vulnerability that concern him. “The three points were important and there were moments when Chelsea were magnificent and played really well,” Hasselbaink stated. “But there were also moments where you thought, ‘Oh!’, and that you need to get out and you need to get it out ASAP.”
Goalkeeper Consistency Under Scrutiny
A particular focus of Hasselbaink’s analysis was the performance of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The Spanish shot-stopper was perceived to be at fault for both of Fulham’s goals at Craven Cottage, raising questions about the team’s reliability in the crucial goalkeeping position. Hasselbaink acknowledged Sanchez’s history of brilliant performances but emphasized the need for greater consistency.
“Would I change him? He has had brilliant matches… brilliant, brilliant, brilliant matches,” Hasselbaink commented. “The PSG match [in the Club World Cup] and some other ones, but he has also had some moments where it’s not been that great. Consistency… the best goalkeepers are consistent, they’re consistent, consistent, consistent.”
He added, “He needs to find consistency. Will he be able to get that? I don’t know but he needs to find consistency. That goal that went in, the first goal from Fulham, he would be the first one to say that’s not good enough.”
Potential Goalkeeper Signings
Reports have emerged linking Chelsea with a late move for Aston Villa and Argentina international Emiliano Martinez before the upcoming transfer deadline. Hasselbaink suggested that if the club’s ambition is to win the title, investing in a top-tier goalkeeper might be a necessary step.
When asked directly if Chelsea could win the league with Sanchez as their number one, Hasselbaink replied, “If they do then he will have to improve a lot more than he has shown in the first match.” He implied that securing the league title might necessitate acquiring a more consistently reliable goalkeeper.
Arsenal Identified as Strongest Contenders
Despite the potential for Chelsea to outperform rivals such as Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool – partly due to their absence from European competitions, allowing for a focus on domestic fixtures – Hasselbaink firmly believes Arsenal remains the team to beat.
He described Arsenal as “way stronger, way further ahead mentally and also way more mature.” Hasselbaink elaborated, “Arsenal are also so much further in their journey, so much more consistent. Chelsea have a new manager, new idea, playing with five at the back. They played really well on Monday but they’re definitely not the finished article.”
Conclusion: A Promising Start, But Not Title-Ready
In conclusion, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s assessment is that while Chelsea’s opening victory against Fulham demonstrated promising attacking potential and a positive shift in momentum, the team is not yet at the level required to compete for the Premier League title. He stressed that addressing defensive inconsistencies, particularly in the goalkeeping department, is crucial. While Chelsea might improve on their previous season’s performance and potentially finish above some of their traditional rivals, Hasselbaink sees Arsenal as the dominant force in the league, significantly further along in their development and consistency.
