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Radamel Falcao to Chelsea

The Curious Case of Radamel Falcao To Chelsea

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

Radamel Falcao to Chelsea (Telegraph)

Radamel Falcao, is reportedly desperate to secure a move to Chelsea, and is willing to reduce his wage demands in order to make a move possible. The Colombian was one of the world’s top strikers only a few seasons ago, and it has been quite amazing (Dare I say Torres-like?) to witness his decline.

Once nicknamed El Tigre, it would not be unfair to say he has become a laughing stock during his short tenure at Old Trafford. Netting only four goals, he was undoubtedly one of the flops of the season, particularly given the astronomical wages United were forced to pay him. Indeed it is testament to how poor Falcao has been that the decline of Van Persie has seemingly gone under the radar. 

Thus the link with a move to Chelsea is strange to say the least. Chelsea ran away with the league this year, with Diego Costa netting 20 goals in the process. Whilst Drogba has confirmed his departure, and with the possibility that Remy may look for first team football next season, it is apparent Chelsea will need to reinforce our striking options once again.

Chelsea are very fortunate in that we have two young English stars in Dominic Solanke and Patrick Bamford, the latter having won the Championship’s Player of The Year award. Mourinho has been making positive noises about the future of the young players at the club this season, and it seems a no brainer that for a third striker, Bamford would be a perfect fit, especially given that he helps us fulfill our quota for English players.

Of course on the other side of the coin, there can be no doubt at all that Falcao was, at one point in his career, one of the top strikers in world football. It’s also no doubt at all that some players can suffer difficult debut seasons in the Premier League, regardless of their qualities. Manchester United were an unsteady ship during the 2014/15 season, with Van Gaal’s tactical tinkering obviously not helping Falcao find his form.

Whilst Falcao has reportedly agreed to take a huge pay cut in order to join Chelsea, I still believe we need to avoid wasting time and money on a player who is clearly not the same since an ACL injury that ruled him out for half a year. We saw (Quite painfully at times) with Fernando Torres, that a bad injury can be devastating to a player, and it’s very easy to see Falcao struggle to rediscover his old self.

Admittedly if there was anyone who could conjure the old Falcao back, it would be Jose Mourinho. Unfortunately I still feel that if Chelsea are going to progress as a club, we must bring in players of the calibre required to help us seriously challenge for the Champions League, and help cement our place as the top club in England. For me, Falcao simply isn’t that player.

When luck just ‘aint with you…

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

As superb the game was for the neutral, Chelsea can feel very aggrieved at the way the first meeting of the season with Manchester United went today.

The Blues went into the game defending a good home record against Fergie’s men, but also with question marks hanging over them about their ability to sustain a title challenge. Given they ended the game with nine men, and fought back from two-down to gain the upper hand, only to be denied by a series of unfortunate events, the questions were answered positively – Chelsea should remain among the challengers.

Not many teams come back against United once they have a stranglehold on the game, but Chelsea did just that. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Chelsea had not been so savagely reduced in numbers, they would have gained a result against United. It’s a bit like saying, “if my brother was a women, he’d be my sister”, admittedly, but at the same time, red card number two looked a bit harsh.

In fact, when Mark Clattenberg brandished the second red, for Fernando Torres, I thought Johnny Evans was the recipient – and so did the United defender! Clattenberg is a card-happy official who has handed out almost 25% of all red cards in the Premier this season – so there may lie the explanation.

Chelsea showed great character today and Mata, Oscar and Hazard all demonstrated why so many plaudits have come their way this season. Circumstances meant that all three had to be subbed at some point, but their contribution was so positive – especially, in my view, Juan Mata, who continues to get better and show real leadership. A Chelsea skipper in the making?

Mata’s goal was superb and the work that went into Ramires’ equalizer was equally impressive. At that point, I would have wagered a Chelsea win, but when Ivanovic was sent to the dressing room – no complaints there – hopes of a win became the consolation of the draw. Then Torres’ sending off started to erode all hopes of getting anything at all.

And so, the winning goal. One word here – offside. Judging by the post-match reaction, United also felt they had been a little lucky. But Chelsea should not be too despondent, they did enough to suggest that the early season effervessence is no fluke and the new wave of optimism that has swept into Stamford Bridge in the aftermath of Munich is warranted.

The two Manchester clubs remain the teams to beat if you want to win a title. It looks like being a three-way race this year, and RDM’s nimble, performing ponies will make Chelsea part of that trio.  Chelsea will be in the mix, make no mistake.