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Hailed as one of the best young talents to emerge through Chelsea's
youth policy, Michael Duberry ultimately found himself unable to command
a regular first team place, due to the influx of foreign talent at
Stamford Bridge. Aged just 18, the stylish central defender made his
debut in the final game of the 1993/94 season - a 2-1 home defeat
against Coventry City.
The following season Dubes failed to make a first
team appearance but in November 1995, just 7 games into a loan spell at
Bournemouth, he was recalled to the Bridge. After a series of
outstanding performances he established himself as a rising star in the
Chelsea team, receiving a call up to Terry Venables England squad.
Naturally, expectations were high the following year. He scored his only
League goal for the club in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, but an Achilles
tendon injury in January 1997 kept him out of the side for the remainder
of the season, causing him to miss Chelsea's FA Cup Final triumph over
Middlesborough.
He recovered in time for the start of the 1997/98
season, in which Chelsea won the Coca-Cola Cup and the European Cup
Winners Cup, but failed to realise the potential that had been evident
prior to his injury. A Super Cup win against Real Madrid brought another
trophy at the start of the 1998/99 campaign, a season which saw Chelsea
finish 3rd in the Premiership and qualify for the Champions League, but
Dubes was for the most part still a fringe player.
Although he had set
his sights on succeeding Dennis Wise as Chelsea captain, Duberry had
become increasingly frustrated at his lack of first team appearances and
reluctantly requested a transfer, resulting in a £4.5million move to
Leeds in July 1999. His final appearance for the Blues coming in a 2-1
win over Derby in the last game of the 1998/99 season. (Phil Clisby)
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