‘Big career ahead of him’: Jurgen Klopp comments on £59m forward, after claims Chelsea are interested in signing him

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Jurgen Klopp has given his opinion on Darwin Nunez just a day after the Benfica striker was linked to Chelsea.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League game against the Portuguese side, Klopp gave Nunez a glowing review.

The two became very well acquainted during the previous European encounter, where Liverpool defeated their hosts 3-1 at the Estadio da Luz last week.

Darwin Nunez dents Liverpool

Although the Reds rose to the challenge on enemy terrority extremely well, they were given a few scares by Lucas Verissimo’s men.

None more so than from Darwin, who enjoyed a close duel with his opposing centre-backs and scored shortly after the interval to keep Benfica in the tie.

He provided a threat both on the ground and in the air, proving to be a handful for Liverpool’s central defenders.

The 22-year-old followed up his goal on Wednesday with a hattrick on the weekend, taking his tally to six from the last four games.

Verissimo will be looking to his centre-forward for a similar impact tomorrow under the watchful gaze of Anfield.

In the opposing dugout, Klopp is also going to be keeping a close eye on the Uruguayan, perhaps not only for his footballing ability.

“An extremely good-looking boy, eh?” said the German coach jokingly when asked about Nunez.

“And a decent player as well. He is really good.

“I knew him before of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with his tough battles with Ibrahim Konate.

“Physically strong, quick. Was calm when he finished his goal off. If he stays healthy, he has a big career ahead of him.”

Will Nunez be on the move soon?

Understandably, for a player of Nunez’s age and ability, many believe his career belongs outside of Portugal.

According to The Athletic, the three cities currently looking most likely to house him are London, Manchester and Paris.

Dive a little deeper and it appears Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have moved to the front of the queue for the attacker’s signature.

United certainly need a new number nine, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Edison Cavani reaching the end of their tenures.

PSG could well lose Kylian Mbappe over the summer.

Out of the trio, Chelsea arguably require Nunez the least, considering the players in offensive positions already on Thomas Tuchel’s doorstep.

However, reports of Timo Werner or Romelu Lukaku’s departure have been circling ahead of the transfer market, meaning a new face might well be asked to replace them.

Raiding Benfica for their big target man could cost around £59m (Athletic), more than the likes of Werner, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech.

Could Darwin evolve into the next Chelsea star? Let’s wait and see.

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