Darwin Nunez’s story has always been one of wild energy, chaos, and promise. From his first explosive arrival at Anfield to his emotional exit in the summer, his journey has been a whirlwind — full of goals, misses, emotions, and the kind of unpredictability that made him one of football’s most talked-about strikers. And now, just months after leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, new reports suggest that the Uruguayan forward could be heading back to the Premier League — and one former football legend already believes he knows exactly where he should go.
When Nunez left Liverpool to join Al Hilal in a £46 million deal, many fans were divided. Some felt it was time to move on from a player who never fully lived up to the expectations that came with his £64 million signing from Benfica. Others felt the Reds were giving up on him too early, that his wildness could have matured into brilliance if given more time under Arne Slot. Yet, as is often the case in football, time changes everything. And now, less than a year later, there’s talk of a return — a second chance to rewrite his Premier League story.
The move to Saudi Arabia had seemed like a fresh start for Nunez. At Al Hilal, he joined a star-studded squad filled with experienced internationals and world-class names. For many players, the Saudi Pro League has been a new adventure — a place to earn big and play under less pressure. But Nunez was different. He was still young, still hungry, still restless. In just eight appearances, he has scored four goals and provided two assists. Those numbers aren’t bad at all, yet they tell only part of the story.
Reports from Riyadh suggest that while Nunez has settled professionally, there’s a growing feeling that his heart remains in Europe. The tempo, the energy, the passion — he misses it. The Premier League, with its fast pace and high intensity, fits his character far more than the slower rhythm of Saudi football. And now, a familiar club from England could give him the perfect stage to rediscover himself.
Former Chelsea and France legend Marcel Desailly has spoken publicly about the idea of Nunez joining Chelsea. For Desailly, the match seems ideal — not just for the club but for the player himself. “Nunez for me was perfect, spot on,” Desailly said. “Young, he had bad luck at Liverpool, but if Liverpool took him, it means they saw real potential. If Saudi isn’t suiting him, he could be the one to come back. He could be perfect for Chelsea.”
It’s a comment that has already caused a stir across social media. Chelsea, for all their spending under new management, still haven’t found a reliable striker. Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, and Tyrique George are all options, but none has truly claimed the position as their own. The team has creativity, width, and youth — but it lacks that wild, fearless forward who can turn a dull match into chaos. And that’s exactly what Darwin Nunez has always been.
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During his time at Liverpool, Nunez divided opinions like few others. Some called him wasteful; others called him fearless. He would miss sitters one minute and score world-class goals the next. Yet, in the middle of it all, he was always involved — always fighting, always running, always giving defenders nightmares. In two full seasons at Anfield, he scored important goals against top sides, but consistency never followed. His best Premier League campaign came in 2023/24, when he scored 11 league goals and added several assists. But by the time Arne Slot took over in 2025, Liverpool’s direction had changed.
Slot wanted control, calmness, and precision in attack. The chaos that once defined Liverpool under Klopp was being replaced by structure. And though Nunez had just helped the Reds lift a historic Premier League title, he found himself surplus to plans. Liverpool moved on swiftly, signing Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak — two forwards seen as better fits for Slot’s tactical system. It was a painful goodbye, one that many fans didn’t expect to come so soon.
For Liverpool, selling Nunez for £46 million meant taking a financial loss. For Nunez, it was a chance to breathe again. The Saudi Pro League offered him space, confidence, and a new beginning. But something inside him still burns for the intensity of English football. He’s only 26. He’s not at the stage of his career where players usually slow down. And that’s why Desailly’s comments about Chelsea hit differently.
Chelsea are a team searching for identity. They have talent everywhere but lack the kind of unpredictable forward who thrives on instinct rather than calculation. Under Enzo Maresca, they are trying to play possession-based football, but sometimes they need a player who breaks patterns — someone who does something mad, something unexpected. Nunez, with his energy and raw desire, fits that description perfectly.
Desailly’s words — “He had bad luck at Liverpool” — reflect what many pundits quietly believe. At Anfield, Nunez was never short of effort or passion. But sometimes the timing just isn’t right. He arrived when the team was changing, when Klopp’s style was being questioned, and when the pressure on Liverpool’s attack was massive. Every miss became a meme. Every mistake became a headline. But those who watched him closely saw flashes of brilliance. His power, his movement, his fearlessness — these were qualities that could destroy teams if harnessed properly.
In Saudi Arabia, Nunez has shown glimpses of that again. Four goals and two assists in eight games is a strong start, especially in a new environment. Al Hilal currently sit third in the league with 17 points from seven games, only four points behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. The fans love his energy, but the rumours of a Premier League return refuse to go away.
Sources close to Nunez say that he still watches Liverpool matches and keeps in touch with some of his former teammates. His time at Anfield meant more to him than many realise. He left with respect, not bitterness. Even Arne Slot spoke highly of his attitude, describing him as a “fighter with a good heart.”
Chelsea’s need for a striker, Nunez’s desire to play in England again, and the possibility that Al Hilal could be open to negotiations — all these ingredients create the perfect storm. Desailly’s public comments might just spark something bigger. In football, one quote can open a door.
But even if a return doesn’t happen immediately, it’s clear that Darwin Nunez’s story with the Premier League might not be over. He still has unfinished business in England. He wants to prove that he wasn’t a flop, that the same energy that once made Liverpool fans sing his name can still light up stadiums across the country.
The idea of Nunez wearing Chelsea blue is fascinating. It would give him a fresh chance to thrive under a new manager, a new system, and a new kind of pressure. And for Chelsea, it could finally end their long search for a true No.9 — a player who not only scores but also plays with fire.
At 26, Nunez is entering his peak years. His story is far from over. He’s still learning, still improving, still waiting for that one season where everything clicks. Whether that happens in Riyadh or back in London, one thing is certain — Darwin Nunez was never meant to fade quietly. He’s the kind of player who either frustrates or fascinates, but he never disappears.
Football loves redemption stories, and maybe, just maybe, the Premier League will see his again. Because deep down, even in Saudi Arabia’s glittering stadiums, there’s a part of Darwin Nunez that still belongs to the wild nights of England — to the roar of Anfield, the chaos of Stamford Bridge, and the madness of football at its purest.
For now, the rumours grow louder. Chelsea fans are already debating. Liverpool fans are watching with curiosity. And Nunez? He’s waiting — smiling, working, and dreaming of the day he can run out again to the sound of Premier League crowds chanting his name.
In football, journeys often take strange turns. But for Darwin Nunez, every turn still leads back to the same destination — the hunger to prove himself, the desire to belong, and the fire that never dies.
