5 footballers who flopped in the Premier League but flourished elsewhere

3. Radamel Falcao (Manchester United / Chelsea)

Radamel Falcao in the Manchester United v Newcastle United match

Radamel Falcao built a reputation for himself as one of the deadliest strikers in Europe with his exploits for Porto and Atletico Madrid. He won the the Europa Cup for the two teams in 2011 and 2012 respectively, becoming the first player in history to win back-to-back Europa Cup titles with two different clubs.

Falcao was also the top scorer on both occasions, and his tally of 17 goals in 14 matches for Porto in 2011 was a goal scoring record in the Europa league that is yet to be surpassed.

Falcao scored 41 goals in 51 appearances for Porto (2009 - 2011) and 52 goals in 68 appearances for Atletico Madrid (2011 - 2013) before joining Monaco in 2013.

He continued his scoring spree at Monaco though the goals were not as regular as they were in his previous adventures in Portugal and Spain - largely due to injury. Then came a loan move to Manchester United with the option of making the deal permanent.

But things did not go to plan for the both player and the club as the Colombian scored only 4 goals in 29 appearances in a very unproductive campaign. United's manager Louis van Gaal even banished him to the reserve team at one point.

He was considered by many to be one of the worst signings of the season, and it was not surprising that Manchester United refused to exercise their option to buy the player at the end of the season.

Falcao moved to Chelsea on another season loan deal with the Blues also having the option to sign him permanently. But yet again, Falcao failed to deliver at Stamford Bridge - ending the season with just one goal in 7 matches after battling with injuries all through.

After the disappointing adventure in the Premier League, Falcao returned to Monaco in 2016 and immediately rediscovered his scoring instincts. In his first season back in France he scored 30 goals in 43 appearances as Monaco won the Ligue 1 title.

He scored 24 goals in 36 appearances last season to once again prove that he is back to his scoring best and that he has finally put his disappointing premiership experience behind him.