Liverpool in for Duff!

[brendan]

We don't need Duff.

[dww]

We don't need duff. But if he is avaiable for a price we can afford and Rafa thinks that He and Gonzales will give us good enough options down the right then that seems fair enough to me. I think Duff is an exceptional player and the one real worry (as it appears to be with all our most recent signings) is his injury record.

Still I would prefer a natural right sided player, but if none of the right quality are available at a price we can afford/want to pay what can we do?

[Infadel]

[QUOTE=scully]It wasn't him opting for the money - Blackburn had a massive transfer-trigger clause in his contract and we couldn't meet it. Of course if, a year previously, Houllier hadn't pissed

[FaganK]

yes we bloody do need duff. and at 10M its an absolute steal. he has played on the right many times, is proven to be a world class player, proven to be one of the best players in the premiership, socred goals, good crosser, is very quick, great dribbler.

we cant go wrong if we sign him. th eonly niggling doubt is that he is injury prone.

id rather buy duff for 10M that alves for 12/13M as he is totally unproven in england and duff is also a lot better than him

[dww]

I think it was his choice - he could have said that he would not/did not want to move to Chelski irrespective of the buy-out clause. All players have this option - whether the selling club accepts other clubs' offers is another point.l

To an extent this is true. I have respect for players who try to get the best deal for the club that developed them. I think it is fair enough for a player to demand to leave if only one side is interested and have offered a decent fee but their club is holding out, but with more then one club interested I like to see them try and get the best deal for their club.

[baronvonskidmark]

Apparently Newcastle are confident of closing the deal - but that's the Geordies for you!

[armitage]

I reckon we'll get him. He must realise what a mistake he made going to the chavs - last chance at a big club and all that.

[samo]

i'm surprised the mancs aren't in for him.

[Infadel]

To an extent this is true. I have respect for players who try to get the best deal for the club that developed them. I think it is fair enough for a player to demand to leave if only one side is interested and have offered a decent fee but their club is holding out, but with more then one club interested I like to see them try and get the best deal for their club.

In an ideal world you're right, but it doesn't work like that - players are all different in character, some are mercenary and will always put money first, while others are less mercenary and think about their careers and development before other things, or about their families and their happiness. Unfortunately, I think Duff was mercenary - IMHO!

[dww]

I just prefer to see the best in people. I suspect the truth is more that he didn't desperately want to sign for us and it was easier to go along with the move to Chelsea which to be fair offered much the same prospects of European football and also a higher wage. If we had met the release clause fee then maybe he would have prefered us but I don't get the impression he is the sort to cause trouble and demand his prefered move.

I guess we will never know, unless we happen to bump into him in a pub some time. Or get and insider at Blackburn

[Jack D Rips]

what do you mean zenden going or zenden in the middle?

Zenden in the middle

[dww]

I'm beginning to like the idea of signing Duff to play upfront and Alves for the right hand side. Sounds a bit crazy I know.

I think that Duffs control and efficient use of the ball would mean he would be good at holding up the ball, and he has a decent finish on him.

It's a different option any way.

[G_Man]

How long has Kewell got on his contract? Anyone?
I've read the bbc reports from when he signed in 2003 saying that he'd signed a 4 year contract. Was that wrong?
If it was right then he only has a year left which could mean he is on his way out. I don't recall him signing a new deal.

Duff? Well it depends on price and wages for me. Gonzalez is going to be a class act in my opinion and will be automatic choice on the left by December. Duff can play on the right so at 10 million i prefer Duff to 13.8 million Simao or 13 million for Alvez. We know Duff has the quality to succeed.

How good is he on the right? That's the question in my opinion.

[dww]

I'm pretty sure he is a free agent next summer as he stalled on talks for a contract extension earlier in this summer.

[Tee]

Duff would be an excellent addition, but would he be getting into our first team regularly?

Isn't he leaving Chelsea because he wants regular first team football? Not guaranteed at Liverpool is it, especially with all the other options we now have to play wide. Take your pick on either flank from HK, Speedy, Luis, Bolo, Stevie, JAR, Fabio... anyone I missed? Oh, and hopefully, Alves!!

I expect Duff to end up at Newcastle.