Duff's Future

**Fergie's Son** · 16/07/2005, 7:17 PM

According to Football365.com, Sean Wright Phillips looks set to move to Chelsea. Any thoughts on how this will effect Duff? With Robben seemingly well in with Mourhino, what will SWP's arrival mean for Duff?

**eirebhoy** · 16/07/2005, 7:37 PM

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

With Robben seemingly well in with Mourhino

I don't know how anyone could know who Mourinho prefers. I know that before Christmas Mourinho said Duff was his best player when Robben was getting all the credit. Robben also reportedly had a small bust up with Mourinho because he didn't want to come back from injury so soon and wasn't in the squad for the following match. There's nothing to suggest Mourinho prefers Robben.

While Duff looks better on the eye ripping up and down the wing and beating players with every opportunity, it was Mourinho that made him a more all rounder. If he wants Duff to do what Robben does all he has to do is tell him.

**Fergie's Son** · 16/07/2005, 7:53 PM

I wonder where SWP will fit in to all of this. He's a pure winger just like Duff and Robber. Perhaps Mourhino will just rotate them? Maybe the likes of Arsenal or Man. United might smell blood and swoop in for Duff :0

**dr_peepee** · 16/07/2005, 8:11 PM

I'm not in the slightest bit worrid... Pound for pund Duff is the better player than Robben. That aside SWP will be a quality addition and will suit Chelsea's formation with ease. Chelsea are a 60 or 70 game a season team now, all in, and this just gives them more to play with. I thought Duff played too much football last year. Whatever games Duff doesn't start he will most definately come on. And by the same token whatever games he does start he'll come off. All in all it'll stand to Ireland come the world cup.

The only person worried should be Joe Cole

**Superhoops** · 16/07/2005, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

... I thought Duff played too much football last year.....

Duff always looks knackered after a run of games and maybe that is becuase he plays a high energy game. Even if he was first choice there is no way he would last the pace of the PL, CL, FA cup and Ireland internationals (we have been playing between 8 and 10 a year regularly).

I have thought for some time that Duff's game is more suited to Seria A, less games, not as intense and with the yellow/red card rules now being applied more rigidly in Italy, he is not likely to be hacked down. Skillful players have done well in recent years in Seria A and I think it would suit Duff.

**Dan K** · 17/07/2005, 2:59 PM

I wouldn't be surprised to see Man Utd trying to get him as Giggs' successor, with Ronaldo on the right.

Whether or not they'd be able to afford him anymore is another thing all together...

**jorge** · 17/07/2005, 8:25 PM

Does'nt SWP play on the right?

**Fergie's Son** · 17/07/2005, 10:07 PM

Speaking of Man City, what ever happened to Wilo Flood?

**Dan K** · 17/07/2005, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by jorge

Does'nt SWP play on the right?

Yep, but Mourinho seems to like his 'wingers' to be ambidextrous as if it were and switch flanks a few times throughout the match.

**tetsujin1979** · 18/07/2005, 9:11 AM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

The only person worried should be Joe Cole

Agreed, Mourinho said last season he wanted 2 players for every position. I reckon it'll be Duff or Robben for the left wing slot, and Wright-Phillips or Cole for the right.

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

With SWP now joining Chelsea, this moves Stephen Ireland up the Man City pecking order. Has to be good for us.

Played quite well in the weekend's pre-season games, I'll post links later

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Speaking of Man City, what ever happened to Wilo Flood?

Nothing, he's still there and also played in the weekend's games

**ken foree** · 18/07/2005, 3:37 PM

Originally Posted by Dan K

I wouldn't be surprised to see Man Utd trying to get him as Giggs' successor, with Ronaldo on the right.

Whether or not they'd be able to afford him anymore is another thing all together...

i think ferguson said the other day that the new korean park is gonna push for giggs' place on the left.

**Dyl10** · 19/07/2005, 12:40 AM

I think Swp was mainly brought is as back up but will be rotated to keep him happy. I get the feeling mourinho dosn't want to happen what happened last year when Duff and Robben where injured at the same time

**carnstien** · 19/07/2005, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I'm not in the slightest bit worrid... Pound for pund Duff is the better player than Robben.

I disagree. I think Robben is a better player, but I don't think anyone would disagree that Duff is a better than Cole or SWP, so he should at least get his fair share of 1st team action.

The signing of SWP could be all the better in that it means that Duffer won't be burnt out for the WC if we manage to qualify.

**tetsujin1979** · 19/07/2005, 1:44 PM

Originally Posted by carnstien

I disagree. I think Robben is a better player, but I don't think anyone would disagree that Duff is a better than Cole or SWP, so he should at least get his fair share of 1st team action.

The signing of SWP could be all the better in that it means that Duffer won't be burnt out for the WC if we manage to qualify.

On Sky Sports News last night they compared Duff, Robben, Cole and SWP under shots, passes, crosses and dribbles completed. Duff was the clear winner in all except shots, Robben had a slightly higher percentage, but Duff trounced them all in the other 3 categories

**Fergie's Son** · 19/07/2005, 2:04 PM

I was watching Fox Sports World last night (sort of a Sky Sports wrap-up show that actually shows highlights) and their commentator Bobby McMahon had some good points on the SWP acquisition. I'm not sure of McMahon's footballing background (he's Scottish) but I think he is an excellent analyst. Anyhoo, he suggested that Robben might be pushed more towards the centre, in the hole so to speak, with Duff returning to his favoured position on the left. Just another angle perhaps.

**dr_peepee** · 19/07/2005, 7:00 PM

Originally Posted by Carnstien

I disagree. I think Robben is a better player.

Maybe it's the green tinted glasses but i think Duff has a higher work rate and more strings to his bow. More so since Mourinho took over.

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

I was watching Fox Sports World last night (sort of a Sky Sports wrap-up show that actually shows highlights) and their commentator Bobby McMahon had some good points on the SWP acquisition. I'm not sure of McMahon's footballing background (he's Scottish) but I think he is an excellent analyst. Anyhoo, he suggested that Robben might be pushed more towards the centre, in the hole so to speak, with Duff returning to his favoured position on the left. Just another angle perhaps.

I donno. I think Mourinhos first choice premier set up will be much like last year with Drogba being flanked by Duff & SWP. And with Lampard, Makalele and Essein?? working the middle. But over the course of the season there'll be all sorts of chops and changes I'd imagine.

**Slash/ED** · 19/07/2005, 7:02 PM

I agree it'll be the same system except Crespo not Drogba and Robben will keep his place over SWP imo. He'll keep Duff and Robben together, they were the key last year and badly missed v Liverpool.