Jhon Duran sends clear Chelsea transfer message to Christopher Nkunku
Jhon Duran began to provide early clues that he would join Chelsea before the Premier League season was even completed. After becoming clear that the Blues were interested in him during the January transfer window, Duran wasted little time in making himself known.
He only played 500 minutes at Aston Villa, but in those 500 minutes, he scored five goals and left a lasting impression. This includes a brace against Liverpool in the closing minutes to help Unai Emery secure Champions League football in a wild 3-3 draw.
A few days later, he was drawing some Chelsea fans’ attention once more. This time it’s not about his performances, but rather his social media presence.
Taking to Twitter/X, and when we could still see what other accounts had ‘liked’, it was shown that Duran had been a fan of Christopher Nkunku’s goal celebration during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Brighton. That game secured European football for Mauricio Pochettino’s side (at the time).
Nkunku, who came on in the first half as an early substitute following a nasty head injury to Mykhailo Mudryk, grabbed just a third goal for the club following a problematic first season. He didn’t disappoint those in the away end, though, bringing out his signature celebration.
Taking out a balloon, Nkunku blew up the novelty item in front of his supporters, leaning back and drawing a cheer. It was the first time that his well-known move had been brought out since his transfer in the summer of 2023, and it got people talking.
Images of Nkunku doing his balloon celebration did the rounds, with Duran seeming to like what he saw. He pressed the red heart on a Bleacher Report Football post picturing Nkunku doing his famous move.
Already following Duran is a former Chicago Fire teammate and now Chelsea loanee, Gabriel Slonina. In iconic fashion, the only person Duran himself follows is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The 20-year-old may now be setting his sights on playing alongside Nkunku at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea opened talks with Villa. He could cost as much as £40million.