Darwin Nunez to Chelsea: The method behind the madness

When Darwin Nunez left Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League, there seemed to be no pathway back to a big Premier League club for the tearaway Uruguay striker, but Chelsea may be willing to offer him a second chance.

Nunez found himself pushed out of Anfield by Arne Slot after a disappointing return of 40 goals in 143 matches for the Reds and has been exiled at Al-Hilal following the arrival of Karim Benzema.

It’s not exactly the type of CV that should attract a club with the stature of Chelsea, yet according to the Newcastle Chronicle, the Blues are ready to offer Newcastle competition in a transfer race for the 26-year-old.

Failed Liverpool spell

Nunez is a player who cost Liverpool €85 million, including bonuses. Had everything gone to plan at Anfield, this would have risen to €100m.

Now on the periphery in the Saudi Pro League, his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has dropped to €33.1m.

Chelsea, it seems, sense an opportunity to bolster their misfiring options at centre-forward.

Specifically, it seems to be Liam Delap who is under threat. He has struggled to settle since joining from Ipswich last summer and is being strongly linked with a departure from Stamford Bridge already.

While Blues fans might be underwhelmed by the performances of Nunez at Liverpool, they would surely appreciate his attitude at Anfield, and there is evidence to suggest that he could prove a useful option for Chelsea.

Nunez well suited to Chelsea

Darwin Nunez is well-suited to playing for Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea both in terms of their playing style and the formation that they employ, according to data analytics firm SciSports.

Its Career Advice tool analyses the best moves for players based on a wide variety of metrics, including potential development, pitch time, style and formation.

From Chelsea’s perspective, Nunez fits their system nicely. As such, from the club’s perspective, signing the former Liverpool man makes sense.

Standing in the player’s shoes, though, there should be some concern. His development and game time would be limited in West London, suggesting that he should only move there if he is happy in a fringe role in the immediate future.

According to SciSports, he represents a better option than Delap but is not as strong as Joao Pedro.

Interestingly, it is suggested that Nunez’s ceiling is high enough to become a key player at Chelsea, though his ability to attain that level would be hampered by a lack of development opportunities there.

An unlikely Chelsea signing

Nunez to Chelsea seems an improbable move in any case. He will be 27 by the time the Blues could get their hands on him in the summer. BlueCo’s transfer policy is infamously centred around far younger players.

On top of this, the London side will already sign Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg in the summer, giving them an additional No.9 option. If Darwin were to arrive, it would almost look like an admission that they got that move wrong even before the Dutchman had kicked a ball.

There is logic to suggest this deal could work, but the probability of Nunez winding up at Chelsea for next season still looks slim.

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Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Chelsea striker incoming, Carrick’s Man Utd future, new Kane deal

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Delap edges closer to Chelsea exit as €70m battle begins

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