The need for experience in Chelsea’s squad has been quite clear for some time. The 4-1 win was the most recent example that this team is capable of pulling off some big results. What they lack is consistency and discipline. Also, when the games get tough, a number of players seem to take a step back rather than rise to the occasion.
Chelsea might be relying a bit too much on youth and could do with a few proven players. That would not only increase the quality of the squad, but it could also raise the standards of the club’s current crop of players.
Joao Pedro has been one of the rare bright spots for Chelsea this season. Under the management of Liam Rosenior, he has scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in 12 appearances. Unfortunately, the Blues do not have a quality backup striker behind him at the moment.
Liam Delap was signed for a £30 million transfer fee in the summer. After a promising season with Ipswich Town, the hope was that he would provide a physical presence up top for Chelsea that they had been missing last season. But after just three goals in 33 appearances for the club, the Blues might already be ready to move on. Could a former Liverpool striker, and a one-time Premier League winner, be his replacement?
Chelsea reportedly showing interest in Darwin Nunez
Darwin Nunez left Liverpool for Al-Hilal but things have not gone according to plan. After the club signed Karim Benzema, he has been left out of their squad completely. A return to Europe could be on the cards, and Chelsea seem to be amongst his suitors.
According to Mark Brus on CaughtOffside, Chelsea are showing an interest in signing Nunez from Al Hilal this summer. The Blues and Newcastle United are looking like strong suitors for the former Liverpool striker keen to return to Europe. One source said to the journalist:
“Chelsea have liked Nunez for a while and still see him as someone to add spark and depth up front.”
Could Nunez be a good signing for Chelsea?
It remains to be seen if something concrete emerges from Chelsea’s interest in Nunez. The Uruguayan international faced heavy criticism during his time at Liverpool. But, he could do a job at Stamford Bridge, especially as a backup striker.
Nunez scored 40 goals and provided 26 assists in 143 games for Liverpool. The numbers are not bad if you consider that he only played 7430 minutes of football. In other words, he averaged a goal contribution every 113 minutes.
Of course, a lot will depend on what it would take to sign Nunez. Chelsea would not be expected to spend big on a 26-year-old striker with a shaky Premier League history. The Uruguayan might also need to take a significant pay cut to fit in with the salary structure at Stamford Bridge. But if everything does fall into place, this would be a move worth considering for both parties.
