Desailly Backs Nunez to Chelsea: A Smart Transfer Target?
Chelsea could turn to an unlikely attacking target this summer, with club legend Marcel Desailly advocating for a move for former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguay international currently plays for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, but his future there is uncertain following the arrival of Karim Benzema.
Desailly, a World Cup winner with France and a key figure during Chelsea’s formative years, believes the 26-year-old possesses the quality to thrive at Stamford Bridge, provided he’s placed in the right environment. He highlighted a parallel to Dennis Bergkamp’s struggles at Inter Milan, suggesting that a change of scenery and a supportive team dynamic can unlock a player’s full potential.
“I would actually recommend Nunez for Chelsea,” Desailly told Footitalia. “He’s a very good player, a smart player – he just needs the right environment to perform. When Liverpool identified his potential they knew what they had statistically.”
Nunez’s time at Liverpool was marked by flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency. He arrived at Anfield in for a reported £64 million ($86m) from Benfica, and ultimately secured a Premier League title with the Reds in the season. However, he struggled to consistently find the back of the net, registering 40 goals in 143 appearances before his move to Al-Hilal last summer.
The situation in Saudi Arabia has become complicated by Benzema’s arrival from Al-Ittihad. Saudi Pro League rules limit teams to registering eight foreign players born before , and Nunez is reportedly making way for the veteran Frenchman. While still eligible for AFC Champions League matches, his role in the Saudi Pro League campaign is currently non-existent.
Desailly believes Nunez’s desire to return to European football is a positive sign. “I’m pleased to see him wanting to come back to European football – it shows money isn’t everything,” he said. “A club like Chelsea, or the new Manchester United, would be best for him.”
The Chelsea attack has undergone significant changes in recent seasons. Nicolas Jackson departed on loan to Bayern Munich last summer, while Joao Pedro and Liam Delap arrived at Stamford Bridge. Pedro has proven to be a successful addition, leading the team with 14 goals this season, but Delap has struggled, scoring only twice in 25 appearances. Emanuel Emegha is set to join the club in the summer, but Desailly’s recommendation suggests Chelsea may still be seeking further reinforcement up front.
Desailly emphasized the importance of the environment for Nunez to flourish. “He needs to be surrounded by established, confident players who grasp they’re going to play every weekend and who will give him the ball on the first intention,” he explained. “That’s the small detail – when he makes a run, he needs to get the ball immediately. Otherwise he loses confidence quickly.”
He drew a comparison to Frank Lampard’s playing style, noting how a hesitation to play quick, direct passes to strikers could stifle their rhythm. “We had something similar with Frank Lampard – magnificent player, but sometimes he would look for another option instead of playing the ball first-time to the striker. You could see the strikers losing their rhythm. Nunez needs that immediate ball.”
Desailly likewise pointed to Nunez’s recent form in Saudi Arabia as evidence of his continued quality. “He’s at Al-Hilal now and has scored around six goals in 16 matches – not terrible at all.”
While Nunez’s previous struggles at Liverpool may give Chelsea pause, Desailly’s assessment suggests that a change of scenery and a more supportive team structure could unlock the potential that initially attracted the Reds to the Uruguayan forward. The prospect of bringing a proven Premier League player back to England, even one who has faced challenges, could be an intriguing option for Chelsea as they continue to rebuild their squad.
Tottenham Hotspur has also been linked with an interest in Nunez, according to reports, but Desailly clearly believes Chelsea, or a revitalized Manchester United under Michael Carrick, would be a more suitable destination for the striker.