Kerr delighted with in-form Duff
Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has hailed Damien Duff as “a special talent” after overcoming the fear factor of playing for Chelsea.
Duff will win his 50th cap tomorrow in less than seven years when the Republic face Portugal in a friendly at Lansdowne Road.
“For someone so young to get to 50 caps is remarkable when you consider the likes of Chris Hughton [current assistant manager] took 13 years to win 53 caps,” Kerr said.
“His performances have been fantastic, while he has this consistency and desire to play for the international team, a love for playing.
“There maybe a frustration he hasn’t scored for a while, but when you see his work rate and honesty in both defending and attacking, and the fact he is prepared to do whatever for the team then you cannot criticise that.
“For me, he is a special talent and it looks like he is right on top of his game.”
Duff has become a pivotal figure for both Ireland and Chelsea in recent times, more so at Stamford Bridge now he has won over Jose Mourinho.
Initially, the £17m (€24m) price tag appeared to hang heavy round his neck following his high-profile move from Blackburn in the summer of 2003.
But after overcoming that personal battle, Duff was then faced with another when Mourinho arrived last summer to replace Claudio Ranieri.
Used only sparingly at the start of the season, the 25-year-old has played his way into Mourinho’s affections, notably so when used in tandem on the wings with Arjen Robben.
Kerr, who described Duff’s contribution to Ireland over the years as “immense”, added: “I think when he first signed for Chelsea there was a huge challenge for him. I remember he had a feeling it might be hard for him to be in the team.
“There was fear as he looked around at the type of players they were signing, although I personally had no doubts.
“But he has risen to the challenge. He has met it head-on and shown he has the mental strength and the physical and technical ability to survive and be a top player.”
Given a licence to roam, rather than shackled to the left, Kerr feels Duff has grown in ability, stature and composure since his move to Stamford Bridge.
“There have been obvious improvements in his game,” added Kerr.
“He has got stronger, become more mobile and there is more of an acceptance from people he can play on either side of the pitch, which has not always been the case.
“Some people say he has to play wide left and hug the touchline, but I’ve always felt he should have a bit of leeway in some games to move about, show his mobility and ability to get on the ball and get in more threatening, central positions.
“I’d like to think we were ahead of Chelsea in using him in a freer role, but the fact he is playing on either side, and that there are also defensive demands on him at Chelsea, have helped him and he works hard on that.
“It is vital players understand they have responsibilities to the team when they have not got the ball, as well as when they do have it, but then he has always been a good team player.”
The only question mark to Duff’s name at international level is the fact he has scored just six goals in his 49 appearances to date, but Kerr remains unconcerned as he said: “His ratio has been decent enough since I came in.
“I have had thoughts about trying to accommodate him more on an inside position, but the way the team has developed with other players coming through has meant we can still play him wide.
“It means the team is well balanced and it is still a threat. It is not that important who scores the goals, and we’ve generally been getting enough to win matches.
“But he’s doing fantastically well. Maybe if we had as many matches as Chelsea over the season then his scoring rate would be higher.”
Kerr has confirmed he will start with a 4-4-2 formation, with Duff and new Tottenham recruit Andy Reid on the wings, while Robbie Keane and Clinton Morrison spearhead the attack.
However, there is no Roy Keane due to a knee injury, with Stephen Carr training but requested not to play by Newcastle manager Graeme Souness as has he has only recently returned from a knee ligament problem.
