Marcel Desailly believes former Liverpool star Darwin Nunez has plenty left to prove within the Premier League, naming Chelsea and Manchester United as possible destinations.
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.
Nunez remains to be eligible for AFC Champions League matches but can have no role to play in the remainder 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 ‘recommend’ his old side sign the 26-year-old, also suggesting Michael Carrick’s improving United side would suit him.
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‘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, could 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 might actually recommend Núñez for Chelsea. He’s a excellent player, a wise player – he just needs the correct environment to perform,’ Desailly said.
‘When Liverpool identified his potential they knew what they’d statistically. But if you start on a foul note, the arrogance disappears and the consideration from those around you follows.
‘It’s like Dennis Bergkamp going to Inter Milan – things went completely mistaken. 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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