Jhon Duran: Why Al Nassr opted for Colombian prodigy to partner Ronaldo | OneFootball

Staring down an eight-point deficit to both Al Hilal and Al Ittihad at the top of the Roshn Saudi League standings, something needed to change at Al Nassr if they were to get back into the title race in the second half of the season.

Having made the decision to part with fan favourite Anderson Talisca, who last month left to join Turkish outfit Fenerbahce, something significant was required to fill the considerable void left by the Brazilian. In an Al Nassr career dating back to May 2021, Talisca departed Riyadh having scored 62 goals in 78 RSL games.

However, Al Nassr had their eyes on a headline replacement. After some lengthy negotiation, they finally landed Colombian striker Jhon Duran from English Premier League side Aston Villa. It represented a massive coup for both the club, and the ever-developing RSL, too.

It’s a move that has the football world talking, with all eyes again trained on the Saudi Arabian top flight, which had snared another exceptional talent. What is noticeable about Duran’s transfer, along with many others during the January window, is his age - he recently turned 21 - with a clear overarching focus on the league attracting the finest young players.

While many have shared their opinion on someone so young swapping the English top flight (and UEFA Champions League) for the RSL, it matters little to Duran. He insists he will simply prove the doubters wrong.

“I’m really happy to join this league,” he told Al Nassr TV. “This league is heading in an important direction in the world. There are many stars from Europe who were at big teams in Europe but who are now here.

“People in general and the media speculate about a lot of things, [but] I don’t think it’s a backwards step for me. I’m moving to a competitive league. There are many people who’ve got a different idea about the league. As for people who are saying it is a backwards step, I’ll now prove myself on the pitch. On the pitch is where you do the talking.”

The prodigious youngster has been doing that for a while now. Regarded as one of the hottest properties in world football having joined Aston Villa in January 2023 from MLS side Chicago Fire, Duran was recently linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea as a plethora of clubs took notice of his enormous potential.

Duran’s performances for Aston Villa attracted plaudits and recognition from some of the most recognisable names in the game - especially after his wonder goal for the Birmingham-based side in October's shock 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

It was a piece of inspiration and innovation that only the most promising players possess, but one that seemed to come so naturally to Duran. Letting the ball run onto his left foot, he finished superbly from distance over marooned goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, making the sublime look easy and effortless.

Afterwards, former France international and Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, explained that Duran “makes this team play better”.

The praise came also on the back of stellar goalscoring form for Unai Emery’s side, with Duran netting seven goals this season in the Premier League and a further three in European football's premier club competition. To underline his impact, many in the early part of the campaign were scored from his role as “super sub” off the bench.

For a player who turned 21 less than two months ago, getting goals that regularly on the grandest stage in club football was further proof of just how high Duran’s ceiling is. And that augurs well for Al Nassr, not just this season, but for the next five - he signed through until 2030.

You’d imagine, though, Duran will be anything but a trusty substitute for Al Nassr, with the acquisition made so he can play a vital role next to Cristiano Ronaldo up front. Even with the Portuguese superstar clearly not intent on slowing down any time soon as this week he celebrated his 40th birthday, Duran can still share some of the attacking burden.

“I’m really happy to join this great team,” he said. “I’m really happy to play with, and learn from, the best player in the world. He’s the best sportsperson in the world. He’s the best footballer.

“I’m really happy that I have this chance in my career to work with such a huge star. I hope that I can see some action soon and learn everything that he can teach me and follow in his footsteps, which is the most important thing.”

They are hefty footsteps indeed but, with a collection of top-drawer finishes, Duran has shown already in his burgeoning career that he can deliver at an elite level. For sure, that is what he will be expected to do every time he pulls on the No.9 jersey for Al Nassr.

The magnitude of the move will surely garner plenty of interest every time Duran plays, and while his league debut will come on Friday at home to Al Fayha, he made his Al Nassr bow in the AFC Champions League Elite earlier this week.

Only days after landing in the Kingdom, and with a single training session under his belt, Duran was thrown straight into the starting XI for Al Nassr’s group-stage fixture against UAE champions Al Wasl, who were seeking to continue their fine form on the continent this season.

Playing so soon after arriving is never easy – he will have barely had time to remember the names of all his teammates - but Duran displayed enough to suggest he will hit the ground running as Al Nassr ran out easy 4-0 winners. After which, the newest member of the squad declared he was at the club to capture the continental crown.

Little more than two years after making headlines with the seismic signing of Ronaldo, Al Nassr have done so again with Duran. And, just like his celebrated colleague, he looks to have the talent, and the tenacity, to prove his move to the RSL was the right one, too.