Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has opened up in a fascinating interview with Sky Sports, touching on a number of important topics.
After a contentious summer during which he was heavily linked with an exit, the 20-year-old has made an excellent start to this season as he had made a crucial impact when given an opportunity.
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Duran has bagged eight goals in 14 appearances across all competitions, but beyond those goals, he is starting to show improving signs of maturity and adapting to the demands of Emery in terms of what he wants from him as part of the collective in our structure and way of playing.
While there is still work to be done, which is natural for a player his age to continue to improve and develop, the most fundamental factor that has changed this season has seemingly been Duran’s mentality and approach to his situation at Villa.
In turn, it was fascinating to hear from him on his relationship with Emery in particular, as although it sounds as though he remains strong-willed and perhaps stubborn in his ways, there is obvious respect and an understanding that he can learn a lot from the Villa boss and will benefit if he listens.
“There are [moments of] love and hate, sometimes! But no, I feel very grateful to him, very grateful to him and his coaching staff. We’ve had many problems, but they’re normal, I think,” Duran told Sky Sports. “The truth is, I’m very happy to be here with him, to share the space with him, to learn from his teachings. He wants to teach me all the time. He’s protective, sometimes.
“Sometimes it happens, and there are sparks! So we’re constantly fighting! But I think it’s normal for a young man of my age, and a person like him who already knows a lot, who has already achieved so many things. And the truth is, I feel very, very grateful to be in this space, and that he’s a person as great in football as he is. To learn more from him every day, and I’m very happy with him here.
“Yes, sometimes we argue. Because he has his point of view, I have mine, and I’ve never been the one who stays quiet. If I have something to say, no matter who it is, I say it.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Duran went on to speak about how his patience is improving too, as ultimately one of the big factors in his frustration and possible desire to move on over the summer was his lack of minutes and limited role behind Ollie Watkins in the pecking order to lead the Villa line.
While that has improved slightly this season so far in terms of him being a more prominent figure in our games, he remains second-choice behind the England international, but again, his maturity is improving and he accepts what’s in front of him and is focused on developing himself to eventually take that responsibility.
“Yes, patience has never been my thing. I’ve never had patience, to be honest, but you have to acquire it here,” he added. “Of course, Ollie is a great player, a great striker. He’s shown a lot, he’s helped us a lot. Last season, the past couple of seasons, he’s been incredible. He’s a great person.
“You have to have patience, and I keep working, and when I get the chance, I’ll do what Ollie does and help the team. I’m very happy to have competition, healthy competition, with a star from England, as he is now.”
The summer for many Villa fans was arguably a tipping point with Duran, as in addition to his words in the media and questionable antics on social media, the question would have been asked by many if despite his evident talent and potential, was he really worth the hassle and risk of upsetting the dressing room?
Once again though, based on his comments below, Emery, Monchi and Damian Vidagany were clearly important voices for him to find his focus and determination, and so it’s hoped that although there might be disagreements and emotional moments, he has an infrastructure and personnel around him designed to help him achieve his ambitions and develop his game, for the betterment of the team as a whole.
Duran did hint again in this interview at one point that no one knows what the future holds and if he’ll be at another team in years to come, but he reiterated multiple times that he’s happy at Villa and there is a bright future ahead, and so hopefully we’ll see him continue to go from strength to strength and make an influential contribution to our success in the coming years.
“Yes, I think there were rumours. As a young man, the head goes to other places. But there was always total support from Unai, from [president of football operations] Monchi, and above all from Damian [Vidagany, director of football operations].
“The three of them are important pillars in this club. They have achieved many things in a short time, and they have helped me a lot. They were very valuable to me because they kept me grounded, they told me things as they have to be said. So I think that helps, in a way, the mind, and they… I don’t know, the start of the season was about my mind. Now it’s different.
“With experience, we’re going to do big things, and we’re working for that. Thanks to them, we’re here, and I’m happy here.”