Speaking to The Athletic, Xherdan Shaqiri has been discussing Jhon Duran amid links to Liverpool.
Shaqiri is Duran’s teammate over in MLS at Chicago Fire, and there has been all sorts of speculation about the teenager’s future after an impressive breakout year.
Shaqiri says that he’s a big fan of the youngster, stating that he’s a very good player, but he did warn him of making the move to Europe too soon, stating that he needs playing time before getting any transfer.
Shaqiri hails Duran
The Swiss star spoke highly of the Colombian.
“Still so young and needs to learn a lot of things but a very good player,” Shaqiri said.
“He has the qualities to one day play at a good club in Europe. When? He needs playing time. That’s important for a young player to get better. If you go to Europe and don’t play so much, it can be difficult.
“We know in Europe it’s another level. There are issues you have to deal with. He’s a talent. I hope one day he’ll make that step and show himself in Europe.”
Patience
Shaqiri knows better than any other player that you need to be patient in your career.
The Swiss star was highly-rated from a very young age, but rather than moving at the first possible juncture, he played over 100 games for FC Basel before joining Bayern Munich.
From there on in, he became a superstar, he played for the likes of Bayern, Inter and Liverpool, winning multiple league and Champions League titles.
Duran has the perfect role model in Shaqiri and he needs to take his advice about being patient.