Zenit St Petersburg manager Sergei Semak has spoken publicly for the first time about the transfer of Colombian striker Jhon Duran, who has joined the Russian club on a loan deal from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. This move marks the second transfer for the 22-year-old since his departure from Aston Villa in January last year, following a loan spell at Turkish club Fenerbahce during the first half of this season.
Manager's Assessment of Duran's Situation
Semak acknowledged that while Duran is recognised as a top-quality player, his recent form has not matched expectations since leaving Villa Park. "We all know that he's a top quality player, but things haven't been going as well for him as he'd probably like," the Zenit boss stated. "We're expecting him to be motivated to go to the World Cup with Colombia and compete with John Cordoba for a spot in the starting XI."
Uncertainty Over Debut Timeline
When questioned about when Duran might make his debut for Zenit, Semak expressed uncertainty, citing fitness concerns. "We'll see, it will depend on how quickly he gets back to full fitness," he explained. "Although he's been playing, he didn't last week, he's had a lot of flights and travel, and hasn't played much. We'll monitor his performance in training and when he's ready, he'll play. We'll see how long that takes."
The manager emphasised that the club has full confidence in Duran's abilities despite the recent challenges. "We'll be looking for him to be useful for us, and we've no doubt in his quality," Semak added, highlighting the potential for the striker to regain his form with Zenit.
Duran's Career Trajectory Since Villa
Duran initially made a significant impact at Aston Villa, bursting onto the scene with promising performances that caught the attention of football observers. However, his career has faced obstacles since moving to the Saudi Pro League, with the loan to Fenerbahce providing limited opportunities before this latest switch to Zenit. The Colombian international now faces the challenge of proving himself in a new league while aiming to secure his place in the national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
