Duran shows limp Chelsea what they missed out on with Puskas contender

Tom Weber

• Updated: 14 Sep 2024 15:43 CDT
• 4 min read

Jhon Duran was once again on the scoresheet for Aston Villa on Saturday.

Despite seemingly being desperate to leave Aston Villa during the summer, the Colombian striker has started the new campaign like a house on fire.

Duran has gone from someone looking on the verge of jumping ship - even throwing up West Ham's 'Hammers' sign on an Instagram livestream while talks between clubs were ongoing - to a key part of Aston Villa's plans, albeit still only from the bench.

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This week, it was claimed that 40 clubs were interested in the 20-year-old during the summer window and while that was likely an exaggeration, it is not difficult to see why teams would be keen.

The striker has scored three times in 103 minutes so far this season and he shocked the Premier League - and Everton in particular - when he netted an absolute stunner against the Toffees on Saturday.

Duran thrives while Chelsea flounder

Shortly after joining the crazy encounter against Everton off the bench, the Colombian striker took aim from miles out and walloped a swerving ball into the top corner in what was an effort worthy of a Puskas or Goal of the Season award.

While his goal against Everton was very much a one-in-a-million strike, his general goalscoring form so far this term has hammered home that he is a huge talent and that clubs may rue not coughing up the €40 million Villa demanded in recent months.

READ MORE: Chelsea supporters rattled after Loftus-Cheek makes exit admission

Chelsea, in particular, may feel that the 20-year-old was an opportunity missed - again. The Blues were interested in the Colombian in January and again this summer but ultimately decided to focus first on Samu Omorodion and then Victor Osimhen.

Ultimately, they managed to land neither and will instead have to rely on Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and 18-year-old Marc Guiu to play in the No.9 role at least until January.

So far this season, Chelsea have not looked particularly impressive in front of goal, with their 6-2 game against Wolves being a notable exception. Though this campaign is still young, it is clear that they could massively regret not signing a prolific centre-forward.

Duran, though the sample size is very small, looks to be exactly the kind of striker who could have been useful to have at Enzo Maresca's disposal.