AFTER being dumped by Chelsea in the summer, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Bolo Zenden take on their former employers today with Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren claiming both will be out to prove a point against the Blues.

When Jose Mourinho took charge at Stamford Bridge, after guiding Porto to Champions League glory in May, he opted against offering Hasselbaink a new contract and allowed Zenden to leave on a free transfer.

Boro pounced for both and are reaping the benefits of having the two Dutch internationals in their ranks.

And this afternoon McClaren will name both in his starting line-up and believes the pair will be going all out to show Mourinho exactly what they missed out on.

The Portuguese coach, a close friend of the Boro manager, had already made up his mind to offload Hasselbaink and Zenden without even having a look at them in action.

And McClaren said: "The common denominator between the two players is that they did not play regularly at Chelsea and they have points to prove.

"Jimmy and Bolo know all about Chelsea. It will be extra special if they can pull something out the bag against them. For us they have been fantastic signings and great value for money.

"We are thankful to Chelsea for letting them go. They have been great for us.

"Jimmy has exploded onto the scene. He has a point to prove and wants to prove it. Bolo did well all last season as well.

"Jimmy was an absolute bargain for us. As soon as his name came up he was the one we chased.

"The chairman was superb. And it was tremendous because Jimmy is not just a goalscorer he's been a great character off the field as well. He's come to Middlesbrough because he thinks we have the ambitions to match his.

"He's very bubbly and very direct. Very intelligent and has his own opinions on football. He will do whatever it takes to win. Bolo is another one.

"They want to win things and do the right things. Want to work and be successful.

"It was not a surprise to see Chelsea let them go. Players were always going to be surplus when the new man came in. Bolo enjoys working here and he is playing well."

And Hasselbaink added: "It's going to be emotional playing against Chelsea. I have a lot of friends at the club. Jose Mourinho is building his own new team and I had to accept that."

Hasselbaink and Argentinian flop Hernan Crespo were allowed to leave Chelsea so that Mourinho could make way in his squad for £26m striker Didier Drogba.

The Ivory Coast man has started well, scoring three goals so far but McClaren is more than happy with his Mark Viduka and Hasselbaink strike force.

They have contributed nine goals between them in Boro's early season form, with former Blue Hasselbaink grabbing four.

And McClaren said: "I couldn't have afforded Drogba in the summer.

"He was a player I admired last year and he's a good signing for Chelsea. The price you play for players is all relevant. I'm delighted to be working with Viduka and Hasselbaink.

"People said they couldn't play together. They were too selfish and too alike but the evidence is that they are really trying to form a partnership and working well. That can only be good for us.

"We got bargains in Viduka and Jimmy. I have been pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect them to gel together so quickly."

Chelsea arrive at the Riverside Stadium still unbeaten and, having spent approaching £200m in two years since Roman Abramovich took control of the club, the title is a distinct possibility this season.

And McClaren suggests that it is the matches against the Premiership's big three - Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea - that provide Boro with an indication as to how far they have come in recent years.

"Chelsea have built a foundation and are one of the main teams that could win the Premier League this season," said McClaren, whose side are aiming to bounce back from the defeat at Everton last weekend.

"These are the games players want to play in and we are expecting players to be up for it.

"For our team it's a barometer and tells us how far we have got to go. They have scored six and conceded just the one so far and that's phenomenal."

Boro, who have won three of their opening four home matches this season, are still without midfielder Gaizka Mendieta and defender Ugo Ehiogu - both out with calf problems.

Mendieta, who has not played since the win over Crystal Palace on August 28, is due to return to training on Monday and could play a part in the UEFA Cup second leg at Banik Ostrava on Thursday.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.