Jhon Duran needs Aston Villa ‘reality check’ amid Villa Park transfer exit speculation
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Jhon Duran needs a “reality check” after reports have emerged linking him with a move away from Aston Villa, according to Dan Bardell.
The Daily Mail reported on its website on Saturday (6 January) that Villa are open to offers for the Colombian international if they can find a suitable replacement, with Italian giants AC Milan interested in signing him.
It added that the 20-year-old and the Villans boss haven’t always seen “eye to eye” during their time together at Villa Park as the forward has been frustrated by his lack of opportunities this season.
Bardell doesn’t understand why Duran would be frustrated as he’s coming on and gaining “valuable experience”, adding that his move from MLS side Chicago Fire in January 2023 has been “brilliant” for him.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “There have been issues behind the scenes I think with training. I’m wary of saying attitude, it’s more about delivering the standard that Emery demands in terms of application.
“Obviously, there have been a few stories planted around in recent weeks. The Milan story smacks of an agent kind of putting the feelers and story out there in my opinion. I don’t think there’s anything concrete in Milan and Jhon Duran at the moment.
“Duran’s at a stage where he’s a young striker, he’s playing for a brilliant manager, second choice to a brilliant striker at a club that’s at the top reaches of the Premier League. I would say his development is going pretty well.
“He’s not starting as many games as he would like, but I can’t see why he would expect that at this stage of his development. It feels a little bit reading between the lines like he’s almost trying to run before he can walk. He’s in a really good space with Villa, playing at a club that’s doing really well and he’s getting minutes.
“If he is frustrated, I don’t really understand that because he’s coming on and impacting games and gaining valuable experience. If I were him or someone around him, I’d be really wary about moving because Villa have invested a lot of money in him, he was a player that they tracked for a long time.
“Although it wasn’t an Emery signing, it was a signing that Emery was happy to do and he was prepared to work alongside him. I almost think he needs a bit of a reality check for where he is in his development and maybe get his priorities a little bit in order.
“I would say this move has been brilliant for him and it’s been pretty good for Villa as well. I just think sometimes players want to run before they can walk.”
In other Aston Villa news, a broadcaster wants Emery to sign up the friend of a Villa star for £10.7million this month.