Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink insists Chelsea showed ‘what you need to be CHAMPIONS’ by fighting to Liverpool draw with 10 men as former striker backs Blues for Premier League title
- Chelsea and Liverpool held each other to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday
- The Blues had Reece James sent-off just before half-time but coped well
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said the display showed Chelsea are contenders
Chelsea walked away from Anfield satisfied with a point on Saturday, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the Blues could launch from here to the title.
Thomas Tuchel‘s side went ahead through a stunning Kai Havertz but Reece James‘ red-card flipped the script, with Mo Salah stepping-up to score a penalty after the right-back was judged to have handled on the line.
Despite going down to 10 men the Blues dug in and held-off Salah, Mane and Jota – containing the Reds with the smothering defensive organisation that brought them Champions League glory last season.
Chelsea look set to mount a strong Premier League title challenge this season on early form
The Blues held-off Liverpool for 45 minutes to bag a point after Reece James was sent-off
‘This second-half will tell him more than the game against Arsenal,’ the former Blues striker said on Sky Sports.
‘He will get more from this and get more from his team than the win against Arsenal where they played well.
‘But if you told him you’re going to Anfield and getting a point he will have taken that. That’s what you need to do to be champions.
‘And then with ten men even more so. The togetherness is massive, they’ve got momentum and in a good place. They’re right there.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the Blues are perfectly poised to charge to the league title
The Blues were solid, continuing their Champions League winning form into the new season
Hasselbaink’s career in west London ended just one season too early to be part of Jose Mourinho’s 2004-05 title winning squad which changed English football forever.
They’ve won four more since, the last in 2016-17 under Antonio Conte. Following the rebuild under Frank Lampard, this certainly looks like their best chance yet to add a sixth Premier League.
Tuchel’s men face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge next weekend before beginning their European campaign against Zenit.
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