A future superstar? Why Chelsea want to sign Jhon Duran

Cameron Smith

14 Jun 2024 13:04 BST
4 min read

Jhon Duran, Chelsea, Aston Villa, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea have reportedly rekindled their interest in Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran as they look to sign a new striker this summer, and the Blues have now been given permission to talk to the player.

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RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko was considered to be one of the Blues’ key summer targets after a stellar first campaign in the Bundesliga, but he has decided to remain in Germany for at least one more season.

As a result, Chelsea have been forced to turn elsewhere and they have landed on Duran, according to The Telegraph.

Former academy star Dominic Solanke is also an option, however it appears as though Duran is a more likely contender to join the Blues this summer.

Chelsea were heavily interested in signing the Colombian during the January transfer window, but they were unable to agree a deal with Aston Villa. But now it appears as though they have made headway, with the Villains granting the West London club permission to speak to the forward, reports The Telegraph.

And Duran is not in Unai Emery’s long-term plans, as per The Guardian, and Villa are keen to include the 20-year-old in a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The England international is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, despite his desire to remain at his boyhood club, and Villa are currently rivalling Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.

Why do Chelsea want to sign Jhon Duran?

Chelsea have been interested in signing Duran for over a year, but they were beaten to his signature by Villa back in January 2023.

Interest has remained ever since and the Blues are now keen to capitalise on his limited role under Emery.

Despite playing a back-up role to Ollie Watkins for the duration of his Aston Villa career, Duran has been a reliable goalscorer whenever he has played.

The Colombian has averaged a goal every 153 minutes during his time at Villa, while this rate drops to a goal every 91.2 minutes when focusing solely on the 2023-24 Premier League season.

His ball-striking is immense, as seen during Villa’s comeback draw against Liverpool in May, and he is a clinical finisher inside the 18-yard box.

Crucially, he is also only 20 years old - which aligns perfectly with Chelsea’s transfer policy of signing young players, rather than experienced stars.

Despite being so young, Duran is physically capable of playing in the toughest league in world football and his natural finishing ability is certainly higher than Nicolas Jackson’s.

He does, however, lack the all-round skillset of Chelsea’s No.15 and Duran would likely arrive as a back-up option to Jackson, rather than an immediate starter.

Furthermore, Duran has been unable to become a regular at Villa, so suggestions that he could do so at Chelsea feel wide of the mark. While he has immense characteristics already, the Colombian remains a fairly unknown quantity, which means he would represent a risky signing.

STATS

Jhon Durán

F (CRL)

Aston Villa

Jhon Durán

F (CRL)

Aston Villa

37

Games
8

Goals
0

Assists

But, he has certain traits that are extremely desirable - such as his finishing, penalty-box movement and athleticism - and Chelsea would be adding another future star to their ranks if they are able to strike a deal with Villa.

One major downside is that Duran’s arrival seems incredibly intertwined with Gallagher, meaning the Englishman would likely depart if Duran signs.

However, Chelsea are planning for the future and, simply put, the Blues are interested in signing Duran because his potential is sky high.