Who is Jhon Duran? The Colombian hotshot on Chelsea and Liverpool's radar

Now the World Cup is over, would you believe the January transfer window opens in less than two weeks' time? A winter World Cup was always going to mess with the order of things, and while many will have used football's showpiece to showcase their talent, there are others who didn't take part in Qatar and were unable to raise their profile as a result. 

Nevertheless, with extensive scouting networks across the world, football's elite sides will have capitalised on the focus at the World Cup to make their moves in the market. Chelsea are one of those teams that have been busy already having supposedly beaten a number of Premier League sides to the signing of Molde striker Datro Fofana. 

The 19-year-old scored 15 Eliteserien goals in the 2022 season - only two players scored more - as he played his part in Molde's title triumph. Not content with signing just the one teenage hitman, Chelsea are one of a number of teams reportedly set to make a move for Jhon Duran next month. 

Liverpool, Manchester United and Liga Bwin leaders Benfica are also thought to be monitoring the Colombian frontman, and for good reason. Currently plying his trade in MLS, Duran shone for a Chicago Fire side that ultimately flattered to deceive, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference, nine points off the playoff places. A run of two wins in their opening 12 league matches curtailed any hopes of making the playoffs and despite the high profile addition of Xherdan Shaqiri, it was a season to forget for the Fire. 

Nevertheless, from a personal point of view, Duran enjoyed an excellent breakout season for the MLS outfit. The Fire signed the young forward from Colombian outfit Envigado in January 2021, with his contract in Chicago starting 12 months' later. While not a regular starter under Ezra Hendrickson in the 2022 season, Duran didn't allow a lack of consistent time on the pitch to impact his performances as he ended the campaign with eight goals to his name, only two players aged 21 and under - Jesus Ferreira (18) and Gabriel Pereira (9) - could better that return. A goal every 170.4 minutes was actually better than household MLS names Kei Kamara and Carlos Vela in the regular season. 

A return of four shots per 90 highlights Duran's confidence and the ability to be in the right place at the right time to receive passes from teammates, and then go for goal himself. What's crucial for any modern striker is a willingness to bring others into play, something Duran does to a solid standard. 0.5 key passes per 90 may not look like much, but this translated to three MLS assists last season. In addition, the Fire forward returned a commendable pass success rate of 70.5% from an average of 19.6 passes per 90, a decent enough return for a player in his position, and serves to highlight the desire to link up with teammates. 

Considering the Fire often lined up with the lone frontman in 2022, Duran more than held his own when it came to leading the charge and bringing others into play, noted in that he has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of 'likes to do flick ons'. Opponents have also clearly taken to any means necessary to limit Duran's impact in the final third, as noted in that of the 395 players to make 20 or more appearances, he was fouled 3.2 times per 90, the seventh highest in MLS. 

Conversely, opponents also know how to wind Duran up with 2.6 fouls per 90 the seventh most in the 2022 MLS campaign, and to reinforce a weakness of 'discipline', the striker did receive five yellow cards and one red last season, so any area that is in need of improvement, but one that will in time and with experience. 

For a poor Chicago Fire side that did score just 39 league goals last term, Duran's exploits in front of goal warrant adulation, and links with a high profile Premier League move despite his age isn't a surprise. Duran's career is very much in its infancy, however he has shown plenty of promise with the Fire that suggests he has all the makings of a top quality forward, be it in the Premier League or elsewhere.