It has been a turbulent few years for Chelsea, with the club taking one step forward only to fall two steps back. Last season, the Blues endured a disappointing campaign, finishing 10th in the Premier League following the decision to replace Enzo Maresca with Liam Rosenior — a move that failed to yield the desired results.

Now, with Xabi Alonso expected to take over as head coach, Chelsea are hopeful of returning to contention for a Champions League spot next season. One of the club’s former stars, however, believes he already knows the perfect summer signing to help achieve that — and it’s a player whose time in the Premier League didn’t exactly sparkle.

World Cup winner Marcel Desailly, who spent six years at Stamford Bridge after joining from AC Milan in 1998, continues to follow his former club closely. The Frenchman has suggested that Chelsea should consider signing Darwin Nunez, arguing that the Uruguayan could thrive in a new environment at the club.

Desailly believes that while the move might seem unlikely, it could turn out to be a surprisingly good fit for both sides. Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 in a deal worth up to €100 million, but his time at Anfield was inconsistent. Despite flashes of brilliance and the ability to score spectacular goals, he also missed some clear chances and struggled to find consistent form during his three seasons with the Reds.

That inconsistency ultimately led Liverpool to sell Nunez to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal last summer. However, Desailly feels the striker’s struggles were less about talent and more about his environment at Liverpool. According to him, Nunez was never truly set up to succeed at Anfield due to the presence of several other high-profile players.

Speaking to Betway, Desailly explained: “A player who could suit the profile is former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. If you give him the confidence and belief, he will not feel shy because the people in the system are a higher grade than him. That is what happened to him at Liverpool. There were too many players higher grade than him, so he couldn’t express himself. At Chelsea, I’m sure he would express himself and perform.”

Despite the irony of Chelsea being known for their high-pressure environment rather than a calm and nurturing one, Desailly insists that giving Nunez a central role could unlock his potential and bring out his best form in the Premier League once again.