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Duff ironically though, has made made more starts for his country (5) than Jose Mourinho's outfit in 2004/05.
The Blues number 11 has played in four of their eight league games so far - twice coming on as a substitute, but injury and Mourinho's feeling that he was "not mentally fit to play" has robbed Duff of more starts.
And if unhappy at Mourinho's rotation policy, Duff may be lured by a Souness move early next year when the window reopens.
The Scot, who publicly stated that he did not want to see Duff last year, has helped Newcastle United to sixth in the Premiership since taking over from Sir Bobby Robson.
Whether anything comes of this remains to be seen, but with Duff playing in Chelsea's last three games, chances are these reports will prove nothing more than paper talk.
Souness, and the Magpies' Irish contingent - Shay Given, Stephen Carr and Andy O'Brien - would certainly welcome a player of Duff's quality at St James' Park, where England international Kieron Dyer has made just two league starts this season, and Jermaine Jenas has been asked to fill the left wing berth.