Hasselbaink scored 127 goals in the Premier League playing for four different clubs - Leeds, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic. He was a two-time Golden Boot winner, known for his explosive ball striking and deadly accuracy in front of goal.
He also spent one season at LaLiga outfit Atletico Madrid in 1999/00, scoring 24 goals in 34 games, making him the joint second-top scorer in the division. He scored exactly 50% of Atleti's goals as they got relegated, while also bagging 35 across competitions.
Flashscore's Tolga Akdeniz had the opportunity to speak to him about his wonderful career, as well as how he would do in the Premier League today, the state of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, and much more!
Let's talk about the early days of your career. You had a rather unconventional path to the Premier League – a tricky spell in the Netherlands, then Portugal, where things kicked off for you. How did those experiences shape you into the player - and the top Premier League striker - you became?
"I think because my path was so different from most people, really unexpected. I actually felt even happier about the successes I achieved. Not proud, exactly, but definitely happy, because it didn’t come as easily as it does for some players.
"I never played for a really big club in the Netherlands, so I always had to fight to get ahead. I had to go to Portugal, and my route was just different. So, when things finally came together at Leeds and I did well, it was such a big recognition for me. It made me willing to give even more because I'd had setbacks in the past.
"I just saw things from a totally different perspective than some others who may have had a more straightforward path. For me, it was much more fulfilling and satisfying, and I took nothing for granted."
Did you ever have doubts that you’d make it at the top level?
"Yeah, because in the beginning, I had big setbacks. I didn’t give up, but those setbacks are always going to put doubts in your mind. When I went to Portugal, I was on my own, no friends or family, so I could just focus on football.
"It was train, home, eat, sleep, and repeat. I was living and breathing football, and that’s really where the change came for me. Thank God, it worked out."
I feel you’re a bit of an underrated, underestimated striker. A lot of people might not realise you won the Premier League Golden Boot twice. Looking back, what achievement are you most proud of in your career?
"My biggest achievement is definitely playing for the Dutch national team. I never expected it, but I always dreamed of it. Going to the 1998 World Cup, being in the squad with Patrick Kluivert, (Dennis) Bergkamp, (Pierre) Van Hooijdonk, and being chosen as one of the four strikers. That means I must have done something right.
"The two Golden Boots, yes, very proud of those too. But playing for the Dutch national team means you have to consistently play at a certain level, otherwise you just don’t get in. Like I said, I never played for a big club in the Netherlands; normally, you have to, to get picked. So that’s my biggest achievement."
You also joined Atletico Madrid and did very well there. What were the main differences between LaLiga and the Premier League at that time?
"Physically, there’s a huge difference. In the Premier League, it’s very physical, very quick, high intensity. LaLiga is a bit slower; defenders spend more time on the ground, you get more free kicks, and you have to be lighter on your feet.
"The games also happen much later in the day. I think I had an advantage because I played in England first. I was fitter and a lot stronger than many LaLiga players. If it had been the other way round, it might’ve been harder for me to adapt."
Do you think the Premier League has become even more physical now compared to when you played?
"No, actually, it’s become less physical. It's still more physical than LaLiga, but the level of physicality has dropped. When I played, you’d get away with a lot more. Elbows, hard tackles, stuff you wouldn’t get away with now, especially with VAR.
"Back then, strikers didn’t get much protection and you expected to get kicked in the first five minutes. It was sometimes like the Wild West!"
Based on that, do you think your style of play - the profile of striker you were - would flourish even more in today’s Premier League?
"I would kill it! Honestly, I think I would score far more goals than I did back then. I see football differently. I look for opportunities, spaces to get in, and maximise my chances. Now you get more chances in a game than you did back then. So, yes, I would absolutely thrive."
Does that have anything to do with the quality of centre-backs today compared to your era?
"Centre-backs now aren’t as big or as strong as in my day, but they are more technical and do more with the ball. Back then, every team seemed to have defenders who were at least 6'2" or taller and just as strong as they were tall.
"Now, the profile is a bit different. Perhaps still big, but not as physical."
Let’s talk about Chelsea. Their problems are well-known: managerial changes, criticism over signings. What’s your view on their situation, and how can they get back on track?
"They’ve said they want to look at their structure and make some changes, including bringing in some experienced players. The new manager has to be able to manage, to really be the boss when it comes to football decisions. It’s not good if the players know people at the top can override the manager’s decisions.
"That just leads to a lack of respect and poor mentality. Right now, you see Chelsea being very good one game, then lacking energy the next. That points to a bigger issue internally. Leadership has to start from the top."
Now, about Atletico Madrid. Their Champions League run ended at Arsenal in the semi-finals. They never quite found their stride in the second leg and still haven’t won that elusive trophy. What are your thoughts on their run this year?
"Their run was good. With all respect to Atletico, they aren’t among the very biggest clubs, so what (Diego) Simeone is doing is magnificent. I expected a bit more from their second leg, but Arsenal are dangerous when given space.
"Still, reaching the semi-final is a massive achievement for Atletico Madrid, even if it’s disappointing not to reach the final."
There’s some talk about Simeone’s future. Would you stick with him?
"As long as he wants to stay, they should keep him. He’s done tremendous things for Atletico. Developed players, achieved big things. He might not always play fancy football, but he’s very successful. Keep him as long as he wants to stay."
Another club having a fantastic, perhaps underrated, season is Leeds. Daniel Farke has really changed things. How impressed have you been with him and Leeds this season?
"I’ve been very impressed with him. Normally, Farke doesn’t change tactics much, but after the Manchester City game, he switched things up, and it gave them a better platform; they never looked back. They even made the FA Cup semi-finals, which was great.
"But the biggest thing was just staying in the Premier League. Now they’ve done that, Farke can build for the next few years. Typically, it’s the second and third seasons that are toughest after promotion, so they need to strengthen and stay stable. Farke’s done absolutely magnificently this year."
Middlesbrough haven’t been in the Premier League since 2017. What do you make of their drought from the top flight?
"Losing their manager (Rob Edwards) to Wolves when they had momentum really hurt. The new manager started well, but then they hit a bad spell. They really should have got promoted directly.
"Middlesbrough is such a beautiful, good club. It should be in the Premier League."
Let’s finish with some questions about your time with the Netherlands. You said it was your proudest moment - your biggest achievement. You scored nine goals; do you have one standout memory, or is it the whole period?
"My best memory is definitely the 1998 World Cup in France. We stayed in Monaco, the Vista Palace Hotel, I still remember it. Our day-to-day routine, waking up, training at Monaco’s ground, just being there. The whole experience is still fresh in my mind, even almost 30 years on."
Looking at this year’s World Cup, some say the Netherlands’ strength is in defence, and maybe they’re lacking in attack, especially with Xavi Simons out. What do you think of their chances?
"I think if they keep clean sheets, which they should with our back line: Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij, we're very strong there.
"Our midfield is good too: Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders. So, it's about being solid, almost German-like: don’t concede, look for set pieces, and try to score a goal. If we do that, we can go far."