Colombia experience crucial for Jhon Duran, could aid Premier League development at Aston Villa
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran is yet to properly kickstart his career at Villa Park but his experience at international level for Colombia could significantly aid his Premier League development.
The Colombian joined Villa in January this year for a reported £18million [BBC Sport] after strong performances with MLS side Chicago Fire and has since made 15 appearances in claret and blue, all from the bench for a combined 161 minutes [Transfermarkt].
At just 19 years old, the Colombia international is still inexperienced at the top level but has already marked his early Premier League career with a goal, scoring in the 4-0 win over Everton on 20 August.
There was talk that the former Chicago Fire forward would have been sent out on loan during the summer transfer window to aid his experience and development in the first team but no move materialised.
However, it seems as if Unai Emery may already be placing his trust in him, having sanctioned the exit of Cameron Archer marking Duran as the direct competition for Ollie Watkins’ position.
According to the Opta-powered stats on FBREF, the Colombian international is in the 93rd percentile of forwards over the last year for non-penalty expected goals (0.53 per 90) as well as sitting in the top 10% of his counterparts for progressive carries (2.20 per 90).
Duran is getting into the right positions to score goals, but his rustiness when coming from the bench is evident.
The striker averages 4.07 shots per 90 minutes – a total which is in the top 3% of attackers in the top eight European leagues – as well as accumulating 1.61 shots on goal per outing. The goals are clearly close, and when he gets one, it feels like they could come in bucketloads.
The young striker made an instant impact against the Toffees, showcasing his strengths in a 16-minute cameo in which he scored, won three out of three duels and completed one successful dribble, via Sofascore. The way he took his goal against Everton certainly highlighted a player very comfortable in scoring goals should he be given the opportunity and it will have handed Emery all the encouragement on his development he needs moving forward.
With the added opportunity of the Europa Conference League next season, Emery could mould Duran into a first-team regular but not only will his experiences at club level aid his development but his international exposure with Colombia.
So far, Duran has gone on to make six senior appearances for Colombia, scoring once and in their latest fixture against Venezuela in the South American World Cup Qualifying on Friday 8 September, Duran again showcased his slow but steady development in another impressive 15-minute cameo, winning two of his three ground duels, registered one clearance, won one foul and also registered a shot on target [SofaScore].
While such a cameo won’t put his name in the Colombian headlines, it was an experience that will certainly give a small step to his very progressive development playing with and alongside top-level players while also playing against some of the best defenders on the South American continent.
It’s an experience which could prove extremely useful as he aims to build up his confidence, maturity and learning playing at such a hugely competitive and demanding division.
There’s arguably no better preparation for those demands than playing against some of the toughest footballers in the world for Colombia in South America.
It may look like a small step for Duran, but it’s certainly a giant one towards Premier League stardom in Aston Villa colours.
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