Former French footballer Marcel Desailly has claimed that Ireland's Damien Duff as a player would command a staggering £120m price tag in today's transfer market.
Duff's career took a significant turn when he joined Chelsea in July 2003, moving from Blackburn Rovers for a transfer fee of around £17 million. During his tenure at Chelsea, the winger played a crucial role in the club's triumph, helping secure consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
Duff's talent and dedication did not go unnoticed by his former manager, Jose Mourinho, who described him as a 'dynamic player' and a 'fantastic professional.'
Throughout his time at 'The Bridge,' Duff found the back of the net 19 times, contributing significantly to the team's success. Unfortunately, his Chelsea journey was plagued by injury setbacks, leading to his eventual transfer to Newcastle.
Happy Birthday Damien Duff 🎂
He won 2 Premier League titles with Chelsea. A classic winger! ⚽️pic.twitter.com/VYsvSpAMnx— Football Remind (@FootballRemind) March 2, 2023
Despite leaving Chelsea, Duff's impact on the club earned admiration from both fans and critics alike. His performances caught the attention of French footballing legend Marcel Desailly, who faced Duff during his days at Blackburn. Desailly recounted the tough challenge of defending against Duff on the left wing during those encounters. However, it was when Duff made the move to Chelsea that Desailly truly realised the Irishman's immense capabilities.
"Damien Duff was good too. I played against him when he was at Blackburn and wow, he was a storm to defend against on the left. But when he came to Chelsea, suddenly everything for him was under control and organised, there was a better system and you had to adapt to it."
In Desailly's eyes, Duff's talent could not fully flourish due to the tactical constraints and organisational structure at Chelsea. Nonetheless, he believes that in today's exorbitant transfer market, Duff's value would skyrocket to an astounding £120m, reflecting the current inflation in transfer fees and the high demand for top-tier players.
"He could not really express his talent to the level he could have. But in today’s market, I think he’d be worth £120m," he added.
Marcel Desailly speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds'
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