Duff - The Truth of our involvement

[Philby]

Having spoken to someone close to Duff I can confirm that we were indeed interesting in signing him but, as reported, we made our move quite late which may partly explain why we didn't make the deal happen.

 

The night before he signed for Newcastle (after he had agreed terms with them) Duff received 2 calls during dinner, one from Rafa and one from Martin Jol. Duff was never keen on Spurs as he was keen to get out of London and, having built up a bond with the Chelsea fans over the past few years, couldn't see himself playing for another London-based side in any event.

 

Rafa's conversation with Duff centered around tactics, his long-term plan and how Duff might fit into it. Rafa mentioned that he was keen to play Duff mainly on the right but that his place in the side was far from guaranteed week-in week-out. Benitez didn't make much of an impression on Duff and as a result he didn't contemplate turning back on the deal he had verbally agreed with Newcastle.

 

Perhaps Houllier's more persuasive, ego-flattering style would've paid dividends here? Rafa is a fine manager but is so focused on making us great again I think he may lack the nous to lick ass from time to time. In his mind a player must be mustard keen to sign for Liverpool or he's no good to him. Maybe he's right.

 

Having picked up a lot of niggling injuries over the past few years & also being a victim of Chelsea's squad rotation system Duff was simply keen just to get back playing regularly. He is so keen on playing that he regularly plays in 5-a-sides when back visiting friends & family in Dublin.

 

As an aside Man Utd were his top choice but they never came in for him. Apparently Duff was close to moving to them a few years back (from Blackburn) but the deal broke down when Fergie lost the head at Duff's representative being too greedy around his cut (surprising I know given Fergie's tendancy to spray money in every direction when agents are involved).

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Don't care.

[Gravy]

So what was the situation with the money? Chelsea apparently wanting more from Liverpool and Spurs than they would accept from Newcastle?

[Frosty Jack]

  Philby said:

Perhaps Houllier's more persuasive, ego-flattering style would've paid dividends here? Rafa is a fine manager but is so focused on making us great again I think he may lack the nous to lick ass from time to time.

 

So let me get this straight, we should've kept Houllier, so we could sign Duff right?

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Rafa told him his plans - Duff wasnt impressed - no deal

Rafa told Pennant his plans - Pennant liked the idea - deal

 

No point having a player that doesnt want to play his position like Cisse.

 

But thanks for the information - its quite insightful, cheers !

[Morse]

Thanks for that mate.

[5InIstanbul]

Has it occurred to you that Rafa was playing it that way to see if he felt Duff was the right man and character?

 

There's no doubt that IF Rafa would have really wanted him and Chelsea would have played ball with us (highly unlikely) then we'd have him.

 

Not in the slightest bit bothered we haven't.

[Morse]

  Aeroflot said:

So let me get this straight, we should've kept Houllier, so we could sign Duff right?

 

 

Hmmmm,

[Spoone]

It show how far we've come - a few years ago Duff was the player everybody wanted, now nobodies really bothered that he hasn't signed, and its not because he's any worse a player!

[Herbie von Smalls]

nous is something rafa's not short of.

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Hey, Phillby is from Cork! What a surprise

[RP]

Duff can f*** off, went to Newcastle where he'll have f*** all competition for his place. But then again, his medal haul will be the worse for it.

 

F*** him, lazy tw**.

[dodgy1]

  Jack Bauer said:

Don't care.

 

Knob

[Gally]

Interesting Stuff.. cheers.. not too bothered about Duff.

He is a good player but not as good as people make out.. imo Rafa took the correct approach to fish out whether he was keen on a move here and for the right reasons.. he wasn't and now he is at Newcastle graveyard.. good luck to him..

[Coyler]

Finish the story, did he choke on his dinner and die a really slow death?

[Gravy]

Why do managers wait until the night before he signs for another club until they call him???

[Guest Scot James]

  Philby said:

In his mind a player must be mustard keen to sign for Liverpool or he's no good to him. Maybe he's right

 

There's no maybe about it. Rafa is a top manager in the game and we are Liverpool FC, we don't don't need to lick the ass of average, injury prone players to get them to sign for us. If Duff had any ambition he would have chosen to play under Benitez than Glen Roeder. He went for the cash, plain and simple.

 

Hello by the way.

Edited August 2, 2006 by Scot James

[Guest Jack Bauer]

  dodgy1 said:

Knob

 

Head

[Philby]

I'm not saying that at all mate. I think we all agree that we are going to chart a far great course under Rafa than we would've if Houllier had stayed on (although I think the disrespect shown to Houllier in his final hours and since was distinctly lacking in class given his contribution to the club). Having said that different managers have different styles and Houllier's charm would perhaps have worked better in this situation than Benitez's focused, tactics-based approach.

 

Everyone is different, some players respond to having their egos caressed and some will respond to speaking to a focused manager with a detailed plan (and a stong idea of where you'd fit in as a player).

 

Perhaps after a few years under Mourinho's regime it's likely that he'd respond better to a manager who is waxing lyrical about how special a player he is rather than one who saw him as another cog in his machine?

 

Fees - I didn't get any info on any diff. in transfer fees being sought from Liverpool Vs Newcastle. I'm not even sure that Liverpool contacted Chelsea for permission to speak to the player.

[dodgy1]

[David Hodgson]

Still shows that Rafa rated Duff and was genuinely interested in him, despite numerous claims here from people who laughed off the possibility of us having any need for Duff.

 

I find this a very strange way to conduct transfer business. On the one hand we'll pay 9/10m for Alves, our first choice, but not the extra 1.5m-ish Nido talked of. Our second choice, Duff, is then available for 5-7m but we only make a move for him after he's agreed terms with another club. Then we secure our third choice, Pennant, at a price virtually double our opening offer.

 

Meanwhile in deciding not to pay the extra 1.5m-ish for Alves we seem to not be in a position, yet, to complete the signing of our first choice striker option. If we couldn't afford him anyway, why not just take first choice Alves and shop around for a bargain striker ?

 

I know the aplogists will say let's wait and see, but we don't seem to be doing things with the greatest guile at times.

 

Let me caveat the above, lest I get pigeonholed, by saying I think we've signed a good group of players this summer, and I'm hugely optimisitc at our prospects going into the new season.

[Sion]

He's more interested in playing every week at a mediocre club, than to fight for his place at a great one then f*** him, not the type of player we need or want.

[Tones]

  Scot James said:

There's no maybe about it. Rafa is a top manager in the game and we are Liverpool FC, we don't don't need to lick the ass of average, injury prone players to get them to sign for us. If Duff had any ambition he would have chosen to play under Benitez than Glen Roeder. He went for the cash, plain and simple.

 

Hello by the way.

 

Hello and

[Philby]

  Jack Bauer said:

Hey, Phillby is from Cork! What a surprise

 

What country is a person who has info regarding Duff likely to be from?

[Maldini]

Ignore him, he's trying to wind up the Irish lads (again)