Colombia coach explains why Jhon Durán was not called up
Fenerbahçe striker Jhon Durán, who has recently returned from injury and played in the Beşiktaş derby, was notably left out of Colombia's squad for upcoming friendly matches. Colombia's head coach, Néstor Lorenzo, has now provided an explanation for Durán's omission.
The Colombian national team, which has already secured its place in the 2026 World Cup, will face New Zealand and Australia in upcoming friendly matches. The first match is scheduled for November 16 against New Zealand, followed by another on November 19 against Australia.
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Despite his return to action, Durán, who plays for Fenerbahçe, was not called up for these matches. Lorenzo addressed the situation in a press conference, stating that the decision was based on the young player's limited playing time.
"The possibility of competition is always impacted by some players who get fewer minutes, and it’s always good to evaluate that," Lorenzo explained. "However, it’s not that the door is closed, nor are there any final decisions made yet, as the World Cup is still a long way off. Our goal is to solidify our gameplay and give more minutes to younger players who haven't had as much time on the field."
He further elaborated, saying, "Just like all the players called up or on the watch list, Durán is being monitored week by week, game by game. He has played very little; yes, he came on and scored, but only for 15 or 20 minutes, or just one half of the game. He still hasn’t had the consistency needed to compete at the national team level. He remains in the squad pool, but due to club changes and injuries, I can’t say he's at his best. However, he’s a player with a bright future ahead."
