Is Radamel Falcao going the Fernando Torres way?

After a terrible season at Manchester United, Falcao is now linked with a move to Chelsea

Once the most sought-after target on the transfer market, Radamel Falcao has quickly become a player on the cusp of long-lasting derision. El Tigre is very close to being remembered for his disastrous stints more so than his prolific spells in front of goal.

Joining Manchester United at the beginning of the 2014/15 season, the Colombian international was looked to as the poster boy of the Louis van Gaal revolution. Alongside Angel Di Maria, he was supposed to lead the 13-time Premier League champions to yet more success and jubilation.

The reality of his move proved a lot more depressing than the hopeful optimism, however, as he flopped tremendously on the big stage. Of course, he’s not the first big name player that this has happened to.

Fernando Torres was a figure of great ridicule at Stamford Bridge following his transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea, and the fans soon lost patience with his wayward shooting and lack of clinical touches in front of goal. Because, although he has redeemed himself to a certain degree since returning to Spain, his best days are well and truly behind him.

With Falcao also now on the cusp of a loan move to the Blues, much like Torres was, the parallels are clear to see – but can the former Red Devils star avoid becoming Chelsea’s latest laughing stock? Can he turn things around and fight for his place, regain his form and roar with pride once more? Let’s take a look and examine the ins and outs of it all.

Falcao’s Copa America form is worrying

So far, the Copa America hasn’t been kind to Falcao. Having started against both Venezuela and Brazil, he has not managed to find the back of the net just yet. Although he will be happy they managed to end their 24-year wait for a win against the Selecao, he will be disappointed he hasn’t yet scored.

Indeed, it’s not as if he has been starved of service from the supporting midfield cast of the flamboyant James Rodriguez and the cut-throat Juan Cuadrado. On more than one occasion in Santiago against Dunga’s charges, Falcao found himself in a good position to hit the target and make Jefferson work in between the posts, particularly in the opening period.

Falcao is yet to score for Colombia at the 2015 Copa America in Chile

Working hard to get into good positions and not wilting under the frustration of it all, it is fair to say he has been industrious and proactive in his approach, much like Torres was when the going got tough for him, but the quality of his shooting and decision-making has been lacking.

That is the most worrying aspect of all. Because when a striker loses confidence, he loses half his ability. Need proof? Just take a look at the paltry 20 goals Torres managed during his stay with the Blues.

Still on course to qualify from their group should they overcome Peru, it’s going to be interesting to see whether or not Jose Pekerman retains faith in the underwhelming 29-year-old. With the prolific Carlos Bacca waiting in the wings for his chance to shine (though the suspension may affect his chances) and possibly impress any big-money European suitors, and with Teo Gutierrez having played with gusto and purpose against the Brazilians, it really would be a gamble to start with the ex-AS Monaco striker for a potentially decisive clash.

Controversial Diego Costa is a fierce competitor

Will Falcao compete with Diego Costa or be paired with him?

Glancing back at last season’s Premier League, there were quite a number of intriguing battles to keep many a fan entertained. In the absence of a genuine top-of-the-table contest to take home the league crown, we had the battle for fourth spot, the gruelling relegation slog as well as a number of underdog narratives shining through from Southampton, West Ham United and even Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa.

This time around, Chelsea could have an internal battle on their hands as Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao look to fight hard to become Stamford Bridge’s no.1 striker.

Looking at how Torres fared in a similar position gives us a little insight into how this might pan out.

With Didier Drogba playing out of his skin, he managed to nudge El Nino to the fringes of the starting XI and eventually to the bench – in the end, instead of creating healthy competition between two world-class strikers, it merely created a hierarchy that damaged the Spaniard’s confidence and saw the Ivorian become “top Drog”. From there, it was a struggle to recover, and it proved too much of an ask for the ex-Colchoneros star as he continued to flop until his transfer, despite glimpses of brilliance.

It’s a cautionary tale Falcao would do well to heed and prepare for. After all, he certainly doesn’t have the same self-assurance and could flounder under the pressure of resisting Costa. In saying that, if the pair can figure out how to work in tandem with each other, Falcao could regain his lost composure and they might just form the deadliest attacking duo the league has ever seen – wouldn’t that be nice?

Chelsea offers reinvention

It is true that his debut season in the English upper echelon was an unmitigated disaster – that much is clear. Less clear than this are the reasons behind it all.

Some will say his injury hampered him greatly, others have suggested he needed more time and less expectancy before adapting to the pace and style of the a new team’s game. Even more discussed still was the notion that he wasn’t invested enough in the welfare of the club – all of which were raised as reasons behind Torres’ downturn in form, too.

His mentor, however, has offered a more considered analysis, as relayed by AS Colombia (h/t The Express), citing a lack of intensity in his play – something that has probably been actively sought out so as to avoid aggravating any more injuries.

Nevertheless, what is clear is that Falcao would suit Chelsea’s play a lot better than he did United’s. When Torres arrived at the Bridge following a series of tremendous seasons at Liverpool, so much was expected of him to perform, and that pressure worked against him in the end – with Falcao that pressure is miniscule in comparison. Everyone knows he is in a trough and he will have to work hard to get out of it, but that will buy him time and sympathy from all quarters of the Chelsea faithful.

With his blistering pace now gone, it would suit him a lot more to act as a player who can hold up the ball, use his physicality, and even shoot from distance. While this approach hindered Torres no-end (he often looked uncomfortable as the out and out striker, lacking strength), it can be effective when used properly, and Mourinho will know how to do this.

In short, Falcao’s transgression into a slower, less agile performer does not mean he’s destined for the scrap-heap; it all depends on how well he adjusts.

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