A Premier League club places its hopes in Jhon Durán, a young 20-year-old Colombian forward, with coach Unai Emery being 'convinced' that he can become 'one of the best in the world' within a year.
Jhon Durán, the young 20-year-old Colombian forward, is emerging as one of the brightest talents at Aston Villa.
His trajectory has garnered significant attention, with The Mirror revealing this Tuesday that the Premier League club rejected no fewer than 40 offers for him during the summer transfer window. Despite being a regular substitute behind England international Ollie Watkins, Durán's potential has sparked interest from numerous clubs, but Aston Villa has remained firm in their commitment to keeping him.
Monchi, the sporting director of Aston Villa, spoke to The Mirror about the club's belief in Durán, emphasizing that head coach Unai Emery is confident that the young forward will soon become one of the best in the world. Emery, known for developing players and extracting the best from his squad, sees Durán as a future star in his position. The coach's unwavering belief in Durán’s potential reflects Villa's long-term plan for the Colombian, as the club aims to mold him into a key figure for years to come.
"Unai is very confident about Jhon Durán. He believes that he can become one of the best forwards in the world over the next 12 months. He is 100 percent convinced of that," Monchi stated, highlighting how highly Emery regards the forward. Despite having Watkins as the club's primary striker, Durán’s belief in his abilities and desire to challenge for a starting spot is evident. According to Monchi, managing the dynamic between Watkins and Durán is not easy, but it’s a good problem to have for the team. "Having two great forwards is better than having just one," he added, stressing the importance of depth and competition in the squad.
Damian Vidagany, Aston Villa’s director of football operations, echoed this sentiment. He acknowledged that Watkins is currently the undisputed starter but downplayed any concerns about Durán's lack of playing time. He pointed out that having a strong second option is crucial for any top team, and Durán is being developed to step up when needed. Despite Durán's desire for more minutes and his consideration of a move to gain more playing time during the last transfer window, Vidagany reaffirmed that the club sees him as a vital part of their future plans.
"If you have a good goalkeeper, the backup can be just as good, but it's hard to make a change. If you have Ollie Watkins, it's very difficult to find someone better because he's a great forward, maybe in the top-2 or top-3 in the Premier League," Vidagany explained, drawing comparisons between having quality depth in multiple positions. He admitted that Durán wanted to leave in the summer, which is normal for a young player hungry for more opportunities. "There were no fewer than 40 clubs that wanted Durán, everyone wanted him. He's 20 years old and knows the same as we do, that he has enormous potential and could become one of the best forwards in the world."
Aston Villa’s management has been working closely with Durán, offering him more minutes and ensuring that he remains focused and content. Vidagany emphasized that both the club and Emery are committed to helping Durán reach his full potential. "Unai is giving him more minutes, and we've already spoken to him. He's been training well and is happy," Vidagany noted, further underscoring the positive environment around the young forward. "If there's one club that truly believes Durán can become one of the best in the world, it's Aston Villa, and that coach is Unai Emery," he concluded.
Durán's journey began in Colombia with Envigado, where he honed his skills before making the move to Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Chicago Fire. His performances in the MLS caught the attention of European clubs, and Aston Villa secured his services in 2023. Since arriving in England, Durán has shown flashes of his talent, scoring eight goals in 32 appearances last season. This season, he has already made an impact, scoring in two of the three matches he has played so far, further reinforcing his growing reputation as a player to watch.
Aston Villa’s rejection of 40 offers for Durán underscores the club's determination to keep him and develop him into a world-class forward. With Emery’s guidance and the support of the club’s management, Durán is poised to take the next steps in his career. As the 2023-2024 season progresses, all eyes will be on how the Colombian forward continues to grow and whether he can fulfill the lofty expectations placed upon him. The club's faith in his potential is clear, and for Durán, the challenge now is to seize the opportunities and prove himself on the grand stage of the Premier League.
