KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Football fans who grew up watching the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes unleash thunderous shots from outside the box may have noticed that such goals have become increasingly rare in the modern game.

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes the shift has less to do with a lack of opportunity and more with how football is played today, with teams increasingly reluctant to take risks that could leave them vulnerable to counter-attacks.

The former Netherlands international said shooting from distance was a high-risk option, particularly when an attempt was blocked and opponents could quickly launch a counter-attack.

“I think it's high risk, shooting from outside the box, because if it is blocked, you can get counterattacked really quickly,” he told Malay Mail when met at the Ascott in Kuala Lumpur.

“I also think that skill, not everybody controls that really. Having a good shot, a powerful shot, not everybody is comfortable doing that.

“That's why not a lot of midfielders or strikers are scoring goals outside the box.”

Hasselbaink, who is on his third visit to Malaysia, said the game had changed, with players evolving alongside tactics, formations and expectations.

He is in town as part of The Famous CFC's joint programme with Ascott to bring former Chelsea stars to meet local fans.

During a meet-and-greet session with fans and media, Hasselbaink said modern football had also moved towards more combinations around the penalty area, with fewer crosses coming into the box.

He pointed to the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes as examples of midfielders who possessed the ability to strike powerfully from distance, saying players with such qualities were less common today.

“Look, midfielders like (Steven) Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, you don't see those kind of midfielders no more really.

“You have (Dominik) Szoboszlai at Liverpool who can do it, but also doesn't do it that often,” he added, referring to players who possessed the skill but were not shooting from range as frequently.

The 54-year-old also suggested that managers' preference for controlling games and avoiding unnecessary risks could be contributing to the decline.

“Yeah, it might be, because there is risk because the moment it gets blocked you get countered. And you want to control the game by not getting countered,” he said.

Despite the tactical changes, Hasselbaink said long-range goals remained a part of football, although they were more likely to come from wingers cutting inside rather than players attempting shots from 25 to 30 yards.

“We were fortunate that we had at the same time these kind of players, like Lampard, Gerrard or Lothar Matthaus, the former German captain.”

On the evolution of formations, Hasselbaink, who played alongside Eidur Gudjohnsen at Chelsea, said the traditional 4-4-2 system had gradually given way to more flexible tactical approaches, particularly after English teams struggled against opponents with an extra midfielder in European competitions.

He explained how teams increasingly used formations that changed depending on whether they were attacking or defending, with some effectively retaining two strikers when pressing without the ball.

Hasselbaink, who also appears as a football pundit on Astro, was asked about Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) sustained dominance of Malaysian football over the past five years.

He defended the club's success, saying its investment and ambition should be welcomed rather than criticised.

He acknowledged that such dominance could be difficult for other clubs but said it should motivate them to improve.

“Look, sometimes when a team dominates for such a long time, it should make the other teams more hungry to go and beat them.

“The only thing is to win a championship. It's not about one match. It's about consistency. So the others will have to find some kind of consistency to beat them,” he said.

He said investment should be encouraged regardless of which club received the financial backing, as the benefits could extend beyond the senior team.

“It is very good that somebody, whoever the person is, wants to invest in football. That's what we need, we need people to invest in football so little children can keep on playing.

“The others might get a little bit jealous because it's not their team but we need people to invest in football,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are scheduled to face Manchester United on Saturday, October 31, at 8.30pm, with Hasselbaink in town to meet fans and attend a match screening at WIP in the Park.

According to Tan Gan Hup, vice-president of loyalty, marketing and partnerships at The Ascott Limited, the company is planning more events of this nature as travellers increasingly seek experiences beyond accommodation.

“Visa has a study this year that 50 per cent of people, when they book a holiday, one in two persons want to attend an event.

“Especially in Asia, so Ascott wants to provide that. This is apart from us being just a place to sleep anymore. It's really basically helping people create a memory,” he told Malay Mail.

“Since football is really a lifetime passion of a lot of fans, it made sense. They grow up with the team, watching them, creating lasting memories, so to bring these legends here, offer fans an opportunity to meet them is important for us. We want to turn their passion into experiences,” he added.

Manchester United are currently languishing in 16th place in the English Premier League table, with no wins in eight matches, while Chelsea are fifth with four wins.

The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with United manager Michael Carrick potentially facing the sack if his side lose, while Chelsea are looking to recover from a 2-0 defeat to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, which also saw their talisman Cole Palmer sent off.

Asked to predict the result, Hasselbaink was emphatic.

“I will say it now, we will DEFINITELY WIN tomorrow. 2-0. The goals? Well, I see (Pedro) Neto scoring and as for the other... perhaps Palmer will score.

“Why? Because he got a red card last week and I'm sure he wants to make up for it,” he added.

Palmer is expected to feature in the match, having served his one-match suspension.