Why Jhon Duran can be the ‘the best striker in the world’ if he fixes the one problem Aston Villa tried to sell him for this summer
When Mail Sport walked through Warsaw Airport in September 2023, they heard for the first time what the football world thinks of Jhon Duran.
The Colombian forward was heralded as one of the game’s brightest young talents when he signed for Villa in January 2023, but such claims should always be taken with a pinch of salt. After all, clubs are not going to play it down when they spend £18million on a little-known footballer with limited first-team experience.
Still, it’s worth recalling a WhatsApp conversation with a leading technical director, who was working in Italy at the time but now lives elsewhere.
The conversation originally centred on Albanian striker Ernest Muci, who had scored twice for Legia Warsaw against Villa in the Europa Conference League the night before and had moved to Besiktas for £9million in February of that year.
But in response, the sporting director wrote: ‘The striker I need is Duran. I’ve known him since he was 16. He’s going to be one of the best strikers in the world.’ Duran had also scored the night before, but unfortunately for this official, his club didn’t have the resources to make that happen.
Jhon Duran continued his fine start to the season with a superb goal for Villa against Everton
The 20-year-old fired into the top corner of the net from distance to complete Villa’s comeback victory
His form comes after Villa spent much of the summer trying to offload the striker, with West Ham coming closest to signing him.
Against Everton on Saturday, Duran proved that verdict right. His third goal from the bench this season was his best, a 30-yard swerving strike that sent Everton reeling and showed he is a special talent.
But for those who want Duran in Unai Emery’s preferred XI, he’s perfectly fine the way he is. The 20-year-old may not like it, but Ollie Watkins is one of the best attackers in the county and deserves to start.
For now, Duran is the spoilsport, Villa’s king of chaos. If you’re looking for a parallel, Mario Balotelli is a reasonable place to start. They’re both powerful, athletic forwards with excellent technique and unpredictable personalities.
Too often his own worst enemy, Balotelli still had a great career. He won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, the Premier League with Manchester City in 2012, six more major trophies and 36 caps for Italy. If Duran plays his cards right, he can achieve all that and more.
It’s a pretty big ‘if’ though. Duran is still a Villa player by circumstance, not by a careful plan or Unai Emery’s determination to keep him.
They spent much of the summer trying to get Duran to Chelsea and when West Ham bid just over £32m, Duran would now be at the London Stadium. The previous January, Villa contacted half of the Serie A side to plead with them to take Duran and allow them to sign another attacker.
Emery recognised Duran’s talent but was fed up with his erratic training and inconsistent behaviour. His team-mates’ patience was similarly tested. No wonder John McGinn once described ‘Big John’ as ‘a bit crazy at times’ and occasionally ‘a nightmare to have on your team’.
Villa’s recruitment team always knew this was possible and yet they took the risk. They deserve a huge compliment for that, because Duran is worth at least three times what Villa paid for him.
Johan Lange, now technical director at Tottenham, had been aware of Duran since he had a similar role at Copenhagen. Lange and his team followed Duran after he made his debut at the age of 15 for Envigado in a Colombian Cup match.
Several top players from Colombia, including James Rodriguez, Juan Fernando Quintero and Fredy Guarin, have attended the same youth academy. If players do well there, lights will flash in the European recruitment centers.
Unai Emery recognised Duran’s talent but was fed up with his erratic performances in training
After moving to Villa in 2020, Lange and his team kept a close eye on Duran, who had left for Chicago Fire in 2021. They were not the only ones, as AC Milan and the Red Bull clubs were also very interested.
Yet Villa hit the nail on the head with a presentation to Duran’s father, Regino, at Villa Park towards the end of 2022. Showing Duran Sr a video of his son’s best moments with Envigado and Chicago Fire, Lange and recruiting officer Rob Mackenzie explained why Villa would be the best place for Jhon. Regino is believed to have been close to tears by the end of the meeting.
Emery must have felt the same, but for different reasons. Duran is a regular visitor to his office, and that of key allies Damian Vidagany and Monchi, at Bodymoor Heath. Yes, Jhon, we believe in you. Yes, Jhon, we know you’re talented. No, Jhon, you’re not the starting striker – that’s Ollie Watkins.
And therein lies the rub. If Duran has been flirting with Chelsea and West Ham on Instagram all summer, it’s because he thinks he’s better than Watkins. He may be right in the long run, but Emery would be wise to use him sparingly.
The Spanish national coach has a good track record with attackers such as Kylian Mbappe (pictured), David Villa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
When Mail Sport contacted him again after Duran’s goal against Everton, the European sporting director was feeling upbeat. ‘It’s only a matter of time,’ he wrote. ‘He’s just too good.’
Emery clearly agrees and given his track record with attackers such as Kylian Mbappe, David Villa, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Edinson Cavani and Watkins, Duran could hardly be in better hands. Provided he realises it himself, of course.