Jhon Duran calls Bayern Munich 'club of my dreams' after scoring sensational winner for Aston Villa in Champions League
10/03/2024 12:06 PM
JHON DURAN made a shock revelation after sinking Bayern Munich to maintain his sensational super-sub season.
The Aston Villa striker lobbed a glorious Champions League winner just nine minutes after coming off the bench on Wednesday.
Jhon Duran celebrated hitting the only goal against Bayern[/caption]And after the crazy celebrations at Villa Park – with Prince William losing his voice – Duran claimed his goal fulfilled TWO of his footballing fantasies.
The Colombian said: “I feel happy to be able to score, and even more so against a great team like Bayern Munich, which is the club of my dreams.
“I am happy to be the man of the match against this team, which was also my dream.”
The 20-year-old’s verdict might be taken by some as a hint he has one eye on his long-term future.
Duran netted eight times in 37 games last term, but mainly as understudy to Ollie Watkins.
And his frustration led to transfer talk over the summer.
Chelsea were interested in swapping the 12-cap star for England midfielder Conor Gallagher, who eventually moved instead to Atletico Madrid.
And it’s understood West Ham were keen on a £30million swoop for Duran – £10m short of Villa’s valuation.
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He even whipped social media into a frenzy by sharing a picture of him crossing his arms – a possible nod to the Hammers’ crest.
Again this term Villa boss Unai Emery has preferred to start with Watkins in a one-man attack.
But with Duran netting five more goals off the bench – more than any other player in Europe’s tp five leagues – his bid for a regular start could soon be irresistible.
Emery said after Wednesday’s epic triumph: "He arrived two years ago, he has huge potential, sometimes passion.
"Sometimes I need to speak with him as a person and connect with him and as a player to let him play and put him on the field because his talent is there and his capacity to improve us.
"We have two very good strikers and the challenge is to manage both."
Whatever happens, Emery doesn’t shy away from big decisions over his team – such as bringing on and then subbing Leon Bailey against Bayern.