Chelsea rejected Premier League striker deadlier than Haaland in biggest blunder yet

Robin Bairner

• 18 Sept 2024 08:30 BST
• 4 min read

Chelsea’s biggest blunder of the summer transfer window is already abundantly clear and his name is Jhon Duran.

The Blues have spent lavishly on players who have misfired under the fractious ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Despite this, they left themselves with a void to fill in the No.9 role this season, with more support needed for Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea were asked to pay €47 million (£40m) by Aston Villa for Duran yet baulked at the price.

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Duran, meanwhile, has a scoring record that is better than Erling Haaland, Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry and, indeed, any other forward in Premier League history.

The Blues, though, have paid more for 10 players since the summer of 2022. Included in this number is Joao Felix, who is the closest thing to a senior centre-forward they have signed this summer. The Stamford Bridge splashed out €52m on the Atletico Madrid attacker.

Although the Portuguese has one goal in three substitute appearances for Chelsea, Duran is tearing it up at Aston Villa, with his excellent form continuing against Young Boys on his Champions League debut.

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The Colombian added a brilliant third on the night for Unai Emery’s side as they got their debut in the competition off to a perfect start with a 3-0 win on the artificial turf in Switzerland.

This contribution is simply the latest chapter in a run of blistering form for Duran, which suggests he could rapidly be a player Villa are taking off the market, despite boasting Ollie Watkins in attack.

How good is Duran?

Duran is so impressive in front of goal that he has more non-penalty goals per 90 minutes than any other player in Premier League history who has featured for more than five complete games.

He has particularly made a name for himself coming off the bench, with his winner in last weekend’s 3-2 success over Everton a strike that could potentially go down in Villa folklore should they enjoy another strong campaign – something they are showing every sign of doing.

Right now, he looks a player capable of featuring for any Premier League club in some capacity and Chelsea must be kicking themselves they did not stump up the cash that would have taken him to Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago.

With Duran in such hot form, his value to Aston Villa is only spiralling upwards, with the Blues missing what might just have been a one-off chance to sign a special talent.