Damien Duff

Damien Duff (born March 2, 1979 in Ballyboden, Dublin) is an Irish football player. He is a midfielder (more precisely a winger) who plays club football for FA Premier League power Chelsea and internationally for the Republic of Ireland.

Chelsea Career

Damien Duff signed for a then club record fee of 17 million pounds in the summer of 2003, and there were high hopes for the Irishman. In his first few appearances on the tour of Asia, fans were impressed with his accurate crossing and were excited by the prospect of Chelsea having a dangerous winger after years without.

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Duff's game has transformed since joining Chelsea. There was never any doubt about his sublime dribbling skills and deadly pace, but at Chelsea he has developed countless other facets to his game. Although predominantly used on the left under Claudio Ranieri, Duff played most of his sensational 2004/2005 season from the right wing. He has also played as a second striker and even left-back under Jose Mourinho. His right foot has improved immeasurably as he continues to improve.

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His first season at Chelsea was somewhat plagued by injury, and crucially he missed the later stages of the season, including the Champions League semi-finals. Duff scored five goals in the Chelsea Blue, including two worthy of any highlights collection, coming within four days of each other. His goal against Newcastle in the 5-0 demolition underlined his class to the 40,000 fans at Stamford Bridge. Intercepting a throw from his international team-mate, Shay Given, he chipped the ball over the last man's leg and took a few touches before volleying the ball into the bottom corner of the net past his compatriot. Another individual effort came against Lazio in the 4-0 away win. Receiving the ball on the left wing, he danced past four defenders before slotting the ball in at the far post from the top of the box - with his right foot. He presence was sorely missed when out of the side.

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The arrival of Arjen Robben had questioned Duff's place in the starting line-up for the 2004/2005 season, but an injury to Robben at the start of the season saw Duff as the only available winger. Mourinho, however, didn't play Duff in the early part of the 2004/2005 Premiership-winning season, but preferred a more narrow approach. Duff eventually got into the side after four games and never looked back. When Robben came into the side, Duff's versatility saw him move to the right wing and form a ferocious three-man attack with Robben and either Didier Drogba or Eidur Gudjohnsen. Duff scored 10 goals for the season, including a vital goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.

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Duff is now one of the most feared wingers in Europe and is a match for any full-back. His crossing is pin-point accurate and his finishing has improved undoubtedly. He is most likely the first-choice winger at Chelsea, which is remarkable considering the four players for those positions were brought in at a price of 56.6 million pounds. Duff proved to be a pivotal player for Chelsea in 2004/2005 and has already netted twice this year, first against Tottenham and the second coming in the 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool at Anfield. He will look to have another stellar year, crowned with more honours come May 2006.

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