Lower than two years in the past, Jhon Duran was one of many Premier League’s most fun abilities.
And after only one and a half seasons in England, the 21-year-old was flying excessive – with seven league objectives within the first half of the 2024-25 marketing campaign serving to hearth Aston Villa to 3rd place by Boxing Day.
However simply over a month later he was offered to Al Nassr for £71m on deadline day. He’s now caught on the bench on mortgage at Benfica – his fourth membership since he left England and the seventh of his profession on the age of simply 22.
He has skilled a steep fall-off in type and seems bereft of motivation since his transfer to Saudi. And on the weekend, his former Fenerbahce team-mate Fred gave an perception into his troubles in a current podcast look.
The previous Manchester United midfielder – who performed with Duran in Turkey through the striker’s first mortgage spell away from Al Nassr – stated: ‘Jhon Duran did not actually care about something. Come on Duran, let’s prepare, let’s run a bit over there, I would say. “Bro, I am already wealthy. I need not run,” he’d say then he’d go to the medical division and slack off.
‘When he went to Zenit, I stated, now you are going to make much more cash. “Bro, the extra the higher, he’d say”. At Fenerbahce, not less than to start with he was exhibiting up for coaching, then he fully stop.’
Duran scored 20 objectives in two full seasons at Villa Park earlier than his transfer to Al Nassr
Fred spoke out just lately on Duran’s perspective and obvious obsession along with his checking account
Duran is now plying his commerce in Portugal with Benfica, however has scored simply twice to date
Duran’s coach at Fenerbahce, Jose Mourinho, additionally took a dim view of the Colombian’s behaviour. Early in his spell he publicly condemned the striker for his perspective and punctuality throughout his quick stint in Turkey, saying: ‘There are clear guidelines right here, and those that don’t adjust to them will face penalties.’
Fred appeared to supply some context for Duran’s coaching habits and obvious lack of care, suggesting that he believed he had made sufficient cash already. ‘Generally after we talked, he’d say, I’ve already saved the lives of me, my household, and three generations,’ added the Brazilian.
If the spell at Fenerbahce was underwhelming, yielding 5 objectives in 21 matches, issues didn’t enhance when he moved on in the midst of that season.
Despatched to Zenit St Petersburg in February, his spell there didn’t final lengthy. After only one purpose, one begin and a measly six league appearances for the Russian membership he was granted a ‘go away of absence’ in Could.
A Zenit assertion learn: ‘The membership administration and the Colombian striker have agreed on a go away of absence from the membership on account of private circumstances. Particulars of his return date might be introduced within the close to future.’
That date by no means got here, and Duran merely moved onto Benfica in July. He opened his account with a purpose in Europa League qualifying towards Hearts the next month however has scored only one extra since.
Duran’s plight is a far cry from what we noticed as just lately as 2024. Barely two years in the past Duran had received Premier League purpose of the month for his long-range thunderbolt at dwelling to Everton, scored a Champions League winner towards Bayern Munich, received Aston Villa’s participant of the month and was a goal for Chelsea and West Ham.
Duran was like a torpedo into Premier League backlines when he arrived along with his tempo, energy and trigger-happy nature reminding groups and followers of a extra old-school No9 profile.
Duran has performed simply 13 Saudi Professional League video games for Al Nassr since signing for the membership in January 2025
However maybe there have been warning indicators even then. Quotes from Villa skipper John McGinn, for one, recommend that Duran was at all times a unfastened cannon.
Talking in 2024, McGinn stated: ‘Large Jhon, he is a bit nuts. He is a nightmare generally to have in your staff. However he has moments of high quality, we have to try to hold his toes on the bottom the subsequent couple of days… Some days you suppose what a very good boy, some days you suppose come on large man have a bit extra respect.’
Aston Villa coach Unai Emery echoed McGinn’s considerations when managing Duran saying: ‘He’s younger, he has large potential… However as an individual and as knowledgeable, he must study, to work exhausting every single day, and to respect his team-mates.’
Now at his fifth membership in lower than two years, Duran is floundering and searching a shadow of the participant we noticed at Villa.
His contract with Al Nassr runs to 2030. At 22, time is on his facet, however it stays to be seen if he can ever discover the stellar type we noticed glimpses of simply two seasons in the past.
