Chelsea and France legend Marcel Desailly has urged his former club to pursue Darwin Núñez in the upcoming January transfer window, describing the Uru
Chelsea and France legend Marcel Desailly has urged his former club to pursue Darwin Núñez in the upcoming January transfer window, describing the Uruguayan striker as a “perfect” fit for the Blues’ evolving squad.
Desailly said when quizzed about his preferred striker for Chelsea.
‘[He is] young, he had bad luck at Liverpool, but if Liverpool took him, it means that they’ve seen in him a real potential.
‘I wanted Darwin Nunez to come into the system confident, with Maresca, with a good system.
‘It could have really been helpful for Chelsea. Not too expensive. So this is my opinion. I would have really loved to see that player in the squad.
‘If he’s still in the market, if Saudi is not suiting him correctly, he could be the one that comes back.’
Núñez, who previously played for Liverpool before moving abroad, is seen by Desailly as the ideal solution to Chelsea’s lingering issues in attack.
Despite Chelsea’s aggressive recruitment strategy under Todd Boehly, which saw ten first-team signings last summer, Desailly believes the team still lacks a clinical forward capable of leading the line with consistency and flair.
Desailly’s endorsement comes amid Chelsea’s ongoing struggle to convert chances and maintain attacking fluidity.
While the club brought in promising talents like Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jamie Gittens, the departure of key forwards such as Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Joao Felix has left a void in experience and proven goal-scoring ability.
Núñez, known for his pace, physicality, and instinctive finishing, could offer the kind of presence Chelsea needs to compete at the highest level and reignite their Premier League ambitions.
The former World Cup winner emphasised that Núñez’s familiarity with the Premier League would allow for a smoother transition and immediate impact.
His previous stint at Liverpool showcased flashes of brilliance, and Desailly believes that under the right management and system, Núñez could flourish at Stamford Bridge.
With manager Enzo Maresca implementing a dynamic style of play, a striker like Núñez could thrive in a setup that prioritises movement, pressing, and quick transitions.
Ultimately, Desailly’s call for Chelsea to sign Darwin Núñez reflects a broader concern about the club’s attacking depth and long-term strategy.
While Chelsea has invested heavily in youth and potential, the absence of a proven, Premier League-tested striker remains a glaring gap.
Núñez’s return could not only bolster the squad but also signal a renewed intent to challenge for domestic and European honours. Whether Chelsea heeds Desailly’s advice remains to be seen, but the idea has certainly sparked intrigue among fans and pundits alike.
Nunez, 26, secured a bumper deal with the Saudi Arabian League side Al Hilal from Liverpool in the 2025 summer transfer window after becoming surplus to Liverpool’s requirements.

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