Enzo Fernandez was spotted embracing Jhon Duran during Chelsea's clash against Aston Villa. The 23-year-old midfielder fired Enzo Maresca's side to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, extending the Blues unbeaten streak to six games.
In the second half, there was a break in play shortly after Chelsea had been awarded a corner. With the ball in his hands, Fernandez stood at beside the corner flag and awaited permission to take the set-piece.
During the stoppage, Duran, who was on the sidelines preparing to come on, took the opportunity to approach the Blues skipper. The Aston Villa striker went in for a handshake and embrace with Fernandez before returning to his warm-up routine.
A Chelsea supporters, who goes by @hertsontour on X, formerly known as Twitter, captured the moment, which eclipsed 400,000 views and 2,000 likes. Naturally, the encounter has somewhat sparked speculation ahead of the January transfer window.
Duran was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge earlier this year, but a switch failed to materialise. In June, football.london understood that Chelsea were in talks with Aston Villa over a potential deal for the 20-year-old striker, but his wage demands proved to be a stumbling block.
The Blues cooled their interest and set their sights Samu Omorodion instead. football.london understood that Unai Emery's side were once open to selling the Colombian if an offer between £40m and £45m was submitted.
Despite Duran's public plea to join Chelsea earlier in the year, the West Londoners didn't make a bid. Speaking to Colombian outlet Win Sports TV in January last year, he said: "I remain focused on Aston Villa. I am not aware of interest from AC Milan or Chelsea.
"They are giant clubs and it would be a pleasure, but I have no knowledge of anything. As a child, you dream of playing there [Milan or Chelsea]."
Then, in October 2024, Duran raised eyebrows when he signed a new contract which keeps him at Villa Park until 2030. A couple of weeks later in an interview with Sky Sports, the former Chelsea target lifted the lid on his relationship with Emery.
"There are [moments of] love and hate, sometimes! But no, I feel very grateful to him, very grateful to him and his coaching staff," said Duran. "We've had many problems, but they're normal, I think.
"The truth is, I'm very happy to be here with him, to share the space with him, to learn from his teachings. He wants to teach me all the time. He's protective, sometimes. Sometimes it happens, and there are sparks! So we're constantly fighting!
"But I think it's normal for a young man of my age, and a person like him who already knows a lot, who has already achieved so many things. And the truth is, I feel very, very grateful to be in this space, and that he's a person as great in football as he is."
Duran added: "To learn more from him every day, and I'm very happy with him here. Yes, sometimes we argue. Because he has his point of view, I have mine, and I've never been the one who stays quiet. If I have something to say, no matter who it is, I say it."
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