We all remember Damien Duff being threatened with a move to Walsall because of his stubborn refusal to shrug off his 'bust leg' and return to the team for an upcoming game.
Mario Rosenstock has regaled followers in the past with the tale of his charming and delightful and borderline romantic evening with Jose Mourinho during the manager's first spell at Chelsea.
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We can't confirm whether Mourinho was an avid listener to Gift Grub, but, either way, word of Rosenstock's impersonation had reached him. He was deeply impressed and brought Rosenstock over to perform for the Chelsea team.
Back in 2005, only a smattering of them spoke good English and Rosenstock felt his gig was flat.
But Mourinho was an ardent admirer and after ordering the players to bed at 9.30 ('they all scarpered like Van Trapp's children') he enjoyed a bottle of wine with Rosenstock.
Jose asked him to do Mick McCarthy. When Rosenstock dutifully delivered his McCarthy voice, Mourinho reacted with childish excitement. Mourinho brought matters around to the Irish national team.
Brian Kerr had just been discarded and Mourinho preceded to ask Rosenstock who he wanted for Ireland manager. Rosenstock suggested Mourinho himself. Would he do it.
And then he had the ingenious idea of ringing Damien Duff.
He gave me his phone. He said, 'Do this. Do this.' I went 'What, What, What?' And he went, 'Play trick on Damien. Play trick.' He went yeah, 'Damien is injured. He's away. He's having rehabilitation. So play on him now. You ring him and use my phone and play funny game. Do it.
Rosenstock preceded to ring Duffer. The name 'Gaffer' cropped up on the phone.
- We have a problem for tomorrow. I need you play tomorrow. I need you to play. Makele is injured. And Drogba is gone too. I need you to play tomorrow.
- Gaffer, what are you talking about? Me leg is bust!
- Damien, shut up. I need you to play tomorrow or I sell you for £1.5 million to Walsall.
Talking to us on the Racket earlier today, Duffer spun a different, and altogether less interesting tale.
It appears Mario may have sexed up this particular dossier. Duffer was wise to the ruse from the get-go. Evidently Rosenstock's Mourinho impression is not as uncanny as many believe.
His version of the anecdote lacks a little jazz.
Yeah, the story has grown legs over the years. I had just had an operation. I ws lying on a hospital table still loaded on codeine. Mario rang me. He was obviously beside Jose. And I could obviously tell straight away that it was Mario ringing me, trying to have fun and tell his joke or whatever. But they grow legs over the years. And from what I hear now, I thought I was getting sold to Walsall. But we'll let Mario have his day.
Or rather, we won't.
