A Blue legend sees Darwin Núñez as the perfect striker

French legend Marcel Desailly, World Cup winner with France in 1998 and Chelsea icon, has reignited the transfer rumor mill by naming Darwin Núñez as the “ideal No.9” to strengthen the London side.
In an interview with OLGB, Desailly claimed the former Liverpool striker has everything needed to succeed at Stamford Bridge:youth, power, and potential that he believes was underused at Anfield.

“Núñez, for me, was the perfect, ideal player to be Chelsea’s No.9. He’s young and just had bad luck at Liverpool. But if they bought him, it’s because they saw something special in him,” said the French legend.

His comments surprised many, considering Darwin Núñez only recently left for Saudi Arabia to play for Al Hilal, where he earns a massive salary. However, Desailly insists the Uruguayan still has plenty to prove in Europe.

From Liverpool to Arabia: unfinished business

The Uruguayan striker joined Liverpool in 2022 from Benfica for a fee of €85 million, making him one of the most expensive signings in Reds history.
Despite the expectations, his performance was inconsistent: 40 goals in 143 matches, leaving mixed impressions. Although he won the Premier League, Núñez eventually lost his starting role and moved to Al Hilal.

Now 26 years old, Núñez has scored 4 goals in 8 matches for the Saudi side. His contract runs until 2028, but he hasn’t ruled out a return to Europe. “If he’s still on the market and life in Arabia doesn’t suit him, he could come back to the Premier League,” Desailly insisted.

Chelsea still searching for their ‘killer’ striker

Since Enzo Maresca took charge, Chelsea has been trying to rebuild its attacking identity, but results haven’t followed. The team still lacks a reliable goalscorer, and the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro haven’t been enough.

In that context, Desailly’s remarks reignite the debate: does Chelsea need a striker like Darwin Núñez? The Frenchman believes so, envisioning him alongside Enzo Fernández and Alejandro Garnacho, forming a dynamic South American trio.

“In Maresca’s system, Núñez would have been extremely useful. He’s got the energy, aggression, and pace this Chelsea side needs,” added the World Cup winner.

A Blue future for Darwin Núñez?

For now, Darwin Núñez continues to enjoy both financial and sporting success with Al Hilal, but he hasn’t closed the door on a European return. In previous interviews, the striker expressed his desire to “compete at the highest level again” when the right time comes.

Meanwhile, Chelsea fans have welcomed Desailly’s comments, viewing them as a reflection of the club’s need for a true leader in attack, someone capable of reviving the Blues’ glory days.

And although a Premier League return might seem far-fetched, in football, especially in the ever-unpredictable English market, anything can happen. If Marcel Desailly’s words made one thing clear, it’s that Chelsea needs a new No.9… and in his eyes, the perfect candidate already has a name.

Darwin Gabriel Núñez Ribeiro.