Former Chelsea Defender Michael Duberry: From Bell’s Palsy to European Glory

On Matchday 6 of SACKED! in partnership with The Brain Charity, we sit down with former Chelsea, Leeds United, Stoke City and Reading centre back Michael Duberry to share his powerful story about resilience, perseverance and the realities of life at the top of the game.But one of the most remarkable moments of his career came when he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy just days before the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final. Unable to properly move part of his face, Duberry reveals how he handled the diagnosis, earned his place in the starting XI and survived the dressing room culture of the time. He also opens up about the tougher chapters of his career, including difficult moments when a club no longer wants you and a relationship with a manager breaks down. Along the way, Duberry shares stories about teammates and life at the top of the game in the late ‘90s and early 2000s — from limo rides with Linda Lusardi to stories about Diego Maradona from Gus ‘Radio’ Poyet.This episode is a candid and revealing conversation about what it really takes to survive and thrive in professional football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.