Melbourne City star Damien Duff has predicted contrasting fortunes for two of his former clubs – Chelsea and Fulham.
The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland international left Fulham at the end of last season after the club s relegation from the Premier League.
Duff signed a one-year deal with Melbourne City, who are majority owned by the City Football Group, in the A-League in June.
Speaking to Perform on Tuesday, he said Chelsea – where he played from 2003-06 – deserved to be heavy favourites to claim the Premier League title.
Obviously Chelsea are firm favourites, Duff said, speaking after featuring in a 5-0 pre-season friendly win for City.
If [Jose] Mourinho doesn t win it in the first year, he always wins it in the second year. I don t think you can really look beyond them.
They obviously had a good, strong win [against Burnley].
Duff was less positive about Fulham, who let go of several senior players – including John Heitinga, John Arne Riise, Steve Sidwell and Giorgos Karagounis – at the end of last season.
Felix Magath s men have made a disappointing start to the Championship campaign, losing their opening two games.
It s sad to see really what s happened there, Duff, who featured in Fulham s 2010 UEFA Europa League final loss to Atletico Madrid, said.
From where the club was at four or five years ago, I d be worried for them.
Even in the latter stages of his career, Duff remains hungry to succeed in Australia, where he will be joined for 10 games by Spain s all-time leading goalscorer and New York City signing David Villa.
Also joining Duff in Melbourne is Robert Koren, who has made the move as a marquee player after spells with West Brom and Hull City in the Premier League.
Koren made his first appearance for Melbourne City on Tuesday, playing a half in their 5-0 win over state league team Hume City.
Duff is delighted to have the former Slovenia captain alongside him in John van t Schip s squad.
It s great. Obviously been training with him for the past couple of weeks and I know him from the Premier League so he s a good player, and a great addition to the squad, he said.
He s a good guy.
