Marcel Desailly has ‘really useful’ his old club Chelsea make a shock move to sign former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
The Blues made major changes up top last summer with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap joining the club with Nicolas Jackson leaving to hitch Bayern Munich on loan.
Former Brighton star Pedro has been a success in west London with 14 goals this season less prolific, registering two in 25 appearances.
While Jackson could still have a future at Stamford Bridge and with Emanuel Emegha set to reach in the summertime, Chelsea could still be available in the market for an additional striker.
Nunez left Merseyside last summer, joining Al-Hilal for £46million where he has scored nine times in 24 appearances for the Saudi side.
But huge doubts over his future have emerged following Karim Benzema’s arrival on the club from rivals Al-Ittihad.
Saudi teams are only allowed to register eight foreign players born before 2023 of their 25-man squads with Nunez making way for the veteran Frenchman.
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Nunez remains to be eligible for AFC Champions League matches but may have no role to play in the remaining of the Saudi Pro League campaign.
Reports have suggested the Uruguay international is now keen on a return to Europe with Tottenham credited with interest.
But Chelsea great Desailly says he would like to see his old side sign the 26-year-old, also suggesting Michael Carrick’s improving Manchester United side would suit him.
‘I’m pleased to see him wanting to come back back to European football – it shows money isn’t all the things,’ Desailly told Footitalia.
‘A club like Chelsea, or the brand new Manchester United, can be best for him. He must be surrounded by established, confident players who know they’re going to play every weekend and who will give him the ball on the primary intention.
‘That’s the small detail – when he makes a run, he must get the ball immediately. Otherwise he loses confidence quickly.’
Desailly is convinced Nunez still has plenty to supply within the Premier League, even comparing his early struggles to those of legends Dennis Bergkamp and Roberto Carlos.
‘I’d actually recommend Núñez for Chelsea. He’s a superb player, a sensible player – he just needs the best environment to perform,’ Desailly said.
‘When Liverpool identified his potential they knew what that they had statistically. But while you start on a nasty note, the boldness disappears and the consideration from those around you follows.
‘It’s like Dennis Bergkamp going to Inter Milan – things went completely incorrect. Or Roberto Carlos in his early days, shooting the ball into the stands. The boldness wasn’t there.
‘That’s what happened to Núñez at Liverpool. But the standard remains to be there.’
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