Damien Duff: Deal of the Year

While it seems everyone from Alan Smith to Joey Barton is orchestrating an escape from the sinking ship that is Newcastle United, there remains one player who surprisingly has stayed off the transfer wires. His name is Damien Duff.  That’s right, you remember the lad:  Terrorizing defences for Ireland in World Cup 2002…  Bombing down the wings for Chelsea …

But then in 2006 things went a bit pear-shaped. Superfluous to his needs, Jose Mourinho sold Duff to Newcastle, which might have been a good career move … except we all know what happened to Newcastle.  In fact, Newcastle ’s tailspin has been epitomized by Duff’s own downfall:  a never-ending series of injuries; a dramatic drop in confidence; and, lest we forget, it was Duff’s own goal that sealed Newcastle’s relegation on the last day of last season.

For those sins, some might feel that the Irish winger should rot with his current club in mid-table mediocrity in the Championship.  But we believe that would just be a waste of talent.  We refuse to close the book on the old Duffer.  A team like Bolton, Wolves, or even Tottenham could use a good winger, and would do well taking a look at Duff.  Injuries may have robbed him of some speed, but his cheeky inventiveness is still there to see.  And with a little luck, he can turn his confidence around and start causing massive headaches for defenders again.

We believe Damien Duff could be had for £3 million.  A pretty good bargain in today’s market, we reckon.  Any takers?  Anyone?  Anyone at all…?

Duff - On his day still one of the trickiest wingers around.