Jhon Duran has been making waves in the Premier League with his remarkable performances. The 20-year-old Colombian striker has caught the attention of football enthusiasts and pundits alike, with his uncle, Oswaldo Duran, hinting at a potential future move to Real Madrid. However, this dream hinges on Duran's continued professional growth and improved behaviour.
Making waves at Villa Park
Since joining Aston Villa from Chicago Fire in 2023, Jhon Duran has quickly become a pivotal player for the team. His knack for scoring goals has been nothing short of impressive, netting four Premier League goals this season at a striking rate of one every 39 minutes. Known for his impact as a super-sub, Duran has clinched crucial victories against teams like West Ham and Everton.
Aston Villa's faith in Duran is evident, as the club reportedly turned down approximately 40 offers for him over the summer. This steadfastness highlights their belief in his potential and the value he brings to the squad.
Personal growth and Real Madrid ambitions
Oswaldo Duran recently shared insights into his nephew's future aspirations, expressing optimism about Jhon's potential to become a top scorer when given more starting opportunities. He emphasised that Jhon possesses natural talents that need refinement, such as his aerial prowess and ability to outmanoeuvre defenders. Oswaldo also voiced hopes for a future transfer to Real Madrid, contingent on Jhon's maturity and guidance from his advisers.
"We are talking about a player who, if he has his feet on the ground, if he lets himself be guided by his advisors, will be very great because he is very young and is not yet mature as an athlete"
"Jhon is still a 20-year-old boy and there is a lot of room for improvement. When he plays as a starter, he will be among the top scorers in any league he plays in. God gave him virtues that he has to take advantage of and polish, such as his aerial game or getting behind the backs of defenders. Let’s hope that the next sale is to Real Madrid."
However, Oswaldo underscored the importance of personal growth alongside professional development. He acknowledged that Jhon's behaviour needs improvement but remained confident that with proper guidance, these issues could be addressed. This advice follows an incident where Jhon made a controversial gesture during a live stream, causing some controversy.
Villa's confidence in Duran
Despite the challenges of nurturing young talent alongside seasoned players like Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa's management remains supportive of Duran. Monchi, the club's president of football operations, expressed confidence in Jhon's potential to become one of the world's best strikers within the next year.
He acknowledged the complexity of managing two prominent strikers but viewed it as an advantage, emphasising that having multiple strong options is beneficial for the team.