Looking at Duff and the form he's in, it makes it even worse that he won't be playing among the best next summer. He looked at home during the World Cup.
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Looking at Duff and the form he's in, it makes it even worse that he won't be playing among the best next summer. He looked at home during the World Cup.
I hope this doesnt mean that Duffer is going to be demoted to the Chelsea reserves next season for some Dutch flash-in-the-pan, especially with WC Qualifiers kicking off. F*cks sake - he's been their best players this season when he's been playing, and they've been useless without him. At least he'd be able to walk into any other team in Europe.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0304/duffd.html
Damien Duff has described the arrival of Arjen Robben at Chelsea as a kick in the teeth.
Duff, signed for £17million from Blackburn last summer, has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge after being hit with shoulder and Achilles injuries.
The Republic of Ireland international is on the brink of a return to first-team action after playing for the reserves in midweek but clearly sees the Dutch starlet as a threat to his long-term future.
He said: "I must admit it was a bit of a kick in the teeth after two months out to hear about it. But I'll just have to carry on doing what I always do and work hard hopefully that will be OK for me."
"I hear Robben is a left winger but I don't play there very often so maybe I'll get a game somewhere else in the team!", he added.
No chance. Duffer has been Chelsea's best signing this season. As all Irish fans know the guy is pure class.
Robben can also play up front and presumably Duffer could be moved to the right - I know I know same argument again.
However what could be nore worrying is the rumour doing the rounds among some Chelsea fans that Duffer has a long term injury and this achilles problem is more serious than is being let on. His shoulder also needs an operation.
Duffer has a number of injuries and with surgery on his shoulder is going miss quite a bit more football. With Chelsea's money they can afford to bring in top class cover and they need it as they have really missed Duff. I'm not just talking through green tinted glasses here though, any football fan will tell you Duff has been Chelsea's best signing so far and that's some endorsement.
I think Chelsea's decline in results has been clear for all to see since Duff got injured. Clearly their most potent attacking force has been sorely missed and the suggestion that Duff, at full fitness, would be left out of any side in the world is laughable. I think Chelsea should stop signing more big name players and try to bond as a unit as it is clearly annoying the current ones. Joe Cole asked for a move, how many will follow? Chelsea have the players but they need to come together as a team.
Any if Chelsea don't want him I'm sure there are plenty of other teams who would gladly avail of his services.
I agree that when fit Duff has been one of Chelsea's two most effective players this season (the other being the vastly improved Lampard IMHO).
I think though that we are seeing signs of what could be Chelsea's ultimate undoing and the biggest flaw of 'buying' success. Joe Cole was rumoured to be uneasy about his lack fo first team football and Duffer, hardly the most troublemaking player out there, has also just expressed his dissatisfaction with another big signing. Too many big egos will just not fit into a Premiership side if they are not getting regular football. Every team needs a few water-carriers and I'm not sure Chelsea have them.
I'd say Duff really regrets not getting the operation when he got his shoulder injury. He wouldn'y have got the achilles injury then and he would probably be back playing by now. Now he has to get the op in the summer and will probably miss the US cup.
He played the full 90mins for the reserves last night and had a good game. He should start against Stuttgart on Tuesday but its a pity we don't get to see it live. Bloody TV3.
I wonder will his career ever recover from the impact missing the US cup will have on him :)Quote:
Originally posted by eirebhoy
I'd say Duff really regrets not getting the operation when he got his shoulder injury. He wouldn'y have got the achilles injury then and he would probably be back playing by now. Now he has to get the op in the summer and will probably miss the US cup.
:DQuote:
Originally posted by Slash/ED
I wonder will his career ever recover from the impact missing the US cup will have on him :)
It's worse than that - the tournament has been cancelled.Quote:
Originally posted by Slash/ED
I wonder will his career ever recover from the impact missing the US cup will have on him :)
Maybe if we win the world Cup in Germany in 2006 it will go someway to compensating the players for the disappointment but no probably not. :)
I hadn't heard that, so what are we doing this summer? I mean, what other tournament could turn Dominic Foley into an overnight superstar? US cup, you will be missed :(Quote:
Originally posted by gspain
It's worse than that - the tournament has been cancelled.
Maybe if we win the world Cup in Germany in 2006 it will go someway to compensating the players for the disappointment but no probably not. :)
Probably ******, given it's the Sun, but it's Duffer, so it's being posted anyway. ;)
LinkeyQuote:
Alex Ferguson has reignited his desire to sign unsettled Chelsea midfielder Damien Duff, says The Sun. The Republic of Ireland star faces an even harder battle to become a first-team regular with the arrival of PSV Eindhoven winger Arjen Robben next season and could opt to join the Red Devils.
Duff is available for the £17m that Chelsea paid for him last summer with his wages set at a staggering £70,000-a-week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
£70,000 a week :eek: thats more than I get (after tax :p ).
Anyone got a link for than? It sounds like bull to me. :rolleyes:
I saw a rebuttal from his agent, but that could mean anything. It was in the Sun, so I'd give it about as much credability as reports of Santa Claus poisoning Norwegian water supplies.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Well, if Duff is worried about losing his place to some 12 year old PSV kid,then the obvious thing to do is move to Man Utd and compete with Ryan Giggs.
Duff is clearly one of the top 3 players at Chelski and will not lose his place to Robben.
Having said that, Ranierei could lose his place to just about anyone, despite having a decent season.
the problem Ranieri faces is that Chelsea will have had more or less the same seasons last year and this year despite the injection of cash. i still think he's one of the best managers in the premiership, but even he seems to accept he's on his way out.
Duff to United, can't really see it happening, Robben is young and more importantly unproven in the Prem, no-one's going to let Duff go without seeing if Robben can do the job first (unless Sven Overrated Erikkson gets the post).
They're second in the League and in the semi finals of the Champs League.Quote:
Originally Posted by tiktok
That's a bit different from last year.
only in the CL quarter finals so far ;)
season's not over though...
could still end up trophyless and third in the league, only one place better than where they were last year despite Roman's coin.
I'm not knocking Ranieri, I actually think he's a great manager, and IMO they've made great strides since last season but my opinion isn't going to affect what Kenyon and Abrahmovich will do in June.
To get to the semis, they only have to beat Arsenal. Simple!
But they are challenging for the title. And thye've made improvements in Europe. I think they've done well.
Agree that Ranieri is gone anyway. On that basis, Duff should show no loyalty and should immediatly head for MUFC. Not that I'm biased in favour of United or anything. ;)
The sooner that Liverpool sort out this share issue between Steve Morgan & Thailands PM, the better. They're going to have a sh*it load of cash to spend in the summer and I'd love to see Duff at Anfield. Kewell, Duff & Cisse would be a fairly lethal combination next year. Throw in Van Der Vaart for good measure as well! And anyway, why should Duff go to Old Trafford when Ferguson didn't think he was good enough last year? He had the money but refused to pay. Plus United are in decline, something that a certain Harry Kewell predicted in the summer, and everyone laughed at him - They're not laughing now :D :D
they are, he plays for 'pool for christs sake and they've been :ball: in decline since '89 :ball: :DQuote:
Originally Posted by 4tothefloor
Kewells average at best and Cisse has been absolutley terrible anytime I've seen him.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4tothefloor
Just after watching Duff in the Arenal match I though he was at not that great he 5/10 on the BBC website.
nobody played well really. Henry did nothing, it was that kind of match.
Yeah, having played badly in one match, he's clearly useless.Quote:
Originally Posted by Condex
That's why Blackburn have fluorished since he left. That's why Ireladn struggle without him. That's why even Ranieiri's Mum kows that he has to be in Chelsea's starting 11.
You've got to love that on. For those who haven't heard, Ranieri's 84-year-old mum gives him a bollicking every time he leaves Duffer on the bench. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by liamon
Oh, and the rumours are now that Man Utd are considering offering Rio Ferdinand for Duffer + £10m. Or Rio + £10m for Duff - I don't remember. Sounds rubbish anyway. Man Utd are highly unlikely to let Ferdinand go.
I assume it is Rio + 10 million for Duff but although Chelsea appear keen on Rio I can't see them letting Duffer go. He has had a great season and was sadly missed when he was injured. Fans choice as best signing of the season by a country mile.Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
Mate, that's the best laugh I've had for ages. If you want to see those three together, you'd better get out and buy Championship Manager 4. And as for Kewell being lethal... I want some of the stuff you're smoking. :D :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by 4tothefloor
:D PP
Quote:
Originally Posted by Condex
Wenger said they would be paying close attention to him and I am not
sure Duff is fully match fit yet.
IIRC Chelsea faired worse against Aresnal without Duff, but don't
quote me on that, they lost the other fixture I think, but I am unsure
if Duff played in them (both).
Pretty sure he only played in the Highbury tie, when Cudicini dropped a cross late in the game for Henry to score and take the game
Really? Well Kewell is already at Anfield, Cisse is as good as signed for £14 million in the summer. That just leaves Duff. Not at all impossible if they have the cash come the summer. I didn't say Kewell was lethal either, I said the combination would be lethal. Maybe you're the one smoking.... :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy
For a sneak preview of Cisse, go to http://www.djib-cisse.com/, and watch the intro. Can't wait to see this guy in a red shirt! The key to Liverpool's future though is Houllier being sacked, 'cos the players are there, it's just that he's clueless tactically. He can't motivate them either.
Should the board make the right decisions in the summer, we'll see how far ahead of "'pool" United will be next year. In the meantime i'm just enjoying watching United join Liverpools current level of mediocrity. How unfortunate, and they were so close and all to finally catching up with Liverpools haul of 18 league titles....... :( :p
Liverpool on the same level and Man Utd? Even though United are having their worst season since 1990, they are still 16 points ahead of Liverpool at this point in time. Liverpool will consider it a great year if they can just make the CL. How great they have fallen.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4tothefloor
Cisse is a quality player but I wouldn't expect him to shine next season. Best thing Liverpool can do now is get rid of Houllier.
I have heard that Duff will be leaving Chelsea and moving to Liverpool as part of the deal for steven gerrard
My first reaction was disaster but then I remembered Houllier was gone :D
I hope that it's not true to be honest, Mourinho would have been good for him. :(
I've heard it will be Duff, Parker and 20m in exchange for Gerrard, which is a fantastic deal for Liverpool I think, considering that 20m could buy people like Aimar and Ayala, who all want to follow their manager to Liverpool next year, they could be title chal******s at last, even if it does mean loseing a fantastic player in Gerrard.
I'm guessing the word l angers is now censored than :D
great deal for the 'poolQuote:
Originally Posted by Slash/ED
although it rates Gerrard at about 45million which he's not worth anywhere near :rolleyes:
The world has gone mad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slash/ED
Gerrard is WAY WAY WAY overrated. Anyone see how great he was yesterday?