Radamel Falcao

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Falcao the third best player in the world? Over the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Benzema, RVP, Aguero etc? Behave.

Whats with Benzema? he's definitely not in the level of the other players you mentioned. For me he's like top 8-10 only in strikers.

[Spike 12,049]

So Falcao is scoring only because everyone is playing for him and his teammates don't score only because they feed him and not because they are shit and can't score themselves.What about when he was at Porto and when Hulk got double figures aswell ? Look at his goals against us, I dont see any tap ins or hardcore service there, he made them almost by himself.Lethal players don't need service anyway, you give him one chance bam 1-0.

Okay.

1. Let's analyze the Portuguese league. During the season of 2010/2011 Porto won 27 games and drawing three.They scored 63 times, with Hulk contributing to 23 goals which is 35% of their total goals. Falcao scored 16 goals which is 25% of the goals Porto scored. 60% percent of the goals scored by two players. TWO PLAYERS. That does not make a good team, that makes two good individuals. I don't want talented individuals I want a talented and balanced team. Also I think that the Portuguese Leage and La Liga are significantly below the standards of the BPL.

2. Have you watched Atletico Madrid? All they do is look for Falcao. That is all they do, they don't score because the don't shoot themselves, Turan Atletico's second highest goal scored this season has 4 shots on target and 2 goals in 6 appearances, hardly a bad return but it would be higher if he took more shots, no?. And to call the shit because they can't score is possibly the most immature and naive statement I've ever heard. You do realise that there is more to football than scoring goals, don't you?

3. It's impossible to make chances for yourself. What does he do? Cross the ball and then run into the box so he can head the ball into the net? He doesn't dribble through every player like Maradona or Messi and score a solo goal. What the hell do you mean they don't need service? Do you even understand what that means? Of course they need service. As I said earlier Falcao doesn't dribble through every damn player to score a solo goal, I don't think has ever done that. Falcao scores from through balls, crosses and set pieces i.e. service. He isn't Messi or Maradona. So how do these chances come along if there isn't any service? Does the ball magically appear inside the six yard box for lethal players to bam into the net?

4. He has scored more goals than three against us. Ridiculous argument. Are they the only three goals you've actually seen from Falcao?

At least try to give a better argument.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

45m seems a bit too much for Falcao. I know Roman was desperate enough to shell out 50m for Torres but surely there may be cheaper alternatives available.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Falcao: I considered leaving Atletico

"I thought about the possibility of leaving when the club said that it would be difficult to continue if it did not get into the Champions League," Falcao was quoted as saying by Marca.

"The future was uncertain because of finances but the team made a big push and almost the entire squad stayed in the end.

"That's something that shows how well Atletico are being managed. I'm under contract for a few more years, my reality is Atletico and I can't think about anything else."

The striker then went on to express his delight with his success at Atletico so far, and is hungry for more silverware.

He added: "It's what I was hoping when I signed, to make my mark, be important to the club, in the squad. To celebrate good times and titles like those we've won. We have to keep doing the same and look for new objectives.

"I know that there were people who doubted me, who weren't convinced about my transfer fee. I came from Portuguese football. The mutterings were normal, the team was not in a good place and it was to be expected. I am proud to have won over the fans."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2012/10/03/3421847/falcao-i-considered-leaving-atletico

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/914018-radamel-falcao-cant-rule-out-future-transfer-with-chelsea-circling

http://sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football%20/chelsea-target-falcao-can-t-think-about-life-beyond-atletico-madrid-20069

[The Skipper 20,593]

Falcao is a great striker but to say he's the third best player in the world is a bit too much for me. Benzema & Aguero are just as good in their different ways to Falcao which is why I included them in that list, but no way is Falcao better than Iniesta, Xavi or RVP. My honest opinion.

Y'all need to stop sucking Falcao's dick.

[RamiCFC9 258]

Falcao is a great striker but to say he's the third best player in the world is a bit too much for me. Benzema & Aguero are just as good in their different ways to Falcao which is why I included them in that list, but no way is Falcao better than Iniesta, Xavi or RVP. My honest opinion.

Y'all need to stop sucking Falcao's dick.

No need that.

[termninja 5,290]

Falcao is a brilliant player and one of the best strikers in the world, but there is absolutely no need to overrate him and make him out into a god. That's something that Atletico supporters should do, not us ...

[RamiCFC9 258]

Okay.

1. Let's analyze the Portuguese league. During the season of 2010/2011 Porto won 27 games and drawing three.They scored 63 times, with Hulk contributing to 23 goals which is 35% of their total goals. Falcao scored 16 goals which is 25% of the goals Porto scored. 60% percent of the goals scored by two players. TWO PLAYERS. That does not make a good team, that makes two good individuals. I don't want talented individuals I want a talented and balanced team. Also I think that the Portuguese Leage and La Liga are significantly below the standards of the BPL.

2. Have you watched Atletico Madrid? All they do is look for Falcao. That is all they do, they don't score because the don't shoot themselves, Turan Atletico's second highest goal scored this season has 4 shots on target and 2 goals in 6 appearances, hardly a bad return but it would be higher if he took more shots, no?. And to call the shit because they can't score is possibly the most immature and naive statement I've ever heard. You do realise that there is more to football than scoring goals, don't you?

3. It's impossible to make chances for yourself. What does he do? Cross the ball and then run into the box so he can head the ball into the net? He doesn't dribble through every player like Maradona or Messi and score a solo goal. What the hell do you mean they don't need service? Do you even understand what that means? Of course they need service. As I said earlier Falcao doesn't dribble through every damn player to score a solo goal, I don't think has ever done that. Falcao scores from through balls, crosses and set pieces i.e. service. He isn't Messi or Maradona. So how do these chances come along if there isn't any service? Does the ball magically appear inside the six yard box for lethal players to bam into the net?

4. He has scored more goals than three against us. Ridiculous argument. Are they the only three goals you've actually seen from Falcao?

At least try to give a better argument.

Iam not 100% sure but 2009-2010 season, I think almost 60% of our goals were scored by Drogba and Lampard."I want a talented and balanced team" who doesn't man, just don't understand why do you think if we get Falcao we won't be balanced.In my opinion Falcao is pretty much the Torres we never had, and who we almost all wanted.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Falcao has 83 goals in his last 100 games which includes both the Portuguese Div 1 and la liga. Since he joined Athletico he has 46 goals in 56 games.

Hard to argue a subjective topic like influence but the man knows how to score goals.

Btw RVP has 59 goals in his 83 games

Torres has 17 goals in his last 78 games

All three numbers are over the same time span, which also points to Falcao's durability. I don't care for rankings irrespective of position because it's extremely difficult to compare a centerback or even a midfielder to a striker, but if you are making a world 11 with 2 up front you have to include Falcao. It's even arguable that he's the top striker right now. (FTR I don't count Messi or Ronaldo as strikers they are center forwards which is a nuanced difference. Ronaldo and Messi are given a lot more freedom and they carry more reponsability and they exist as False 9s/AM/center forwards depending on the shape they take.)

[zolayes 14,489]

Some people's scepticism here is ridiculous.Falcao is probably the third best player in the world and we have a discussion will he make it here, jesus christ.What about Messi, can he make it here ? What do you think experts ? If we were buying Falcao having an inform Drogba or Torres from his Liverpool days OK, but srsly what's the concern here ? It's not like he would do any worse then Torres or any striker we have at the moment.

of course when people talk about the best players in the world they NEVER consider defenders and most usually only think of goalscorers.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

When you park the bus, you densify the opponent's progression zone (space between the ball and the offside line). The more the space is tight, the more you lose the advantage of the space and you have to win challenges. That's very difficult to insert between 4 defenders on a cross to be fair... You have to be strong enough, get the perfect cross and expect that the 4 players ahead of you won't have the slightest of deflections on the ball

Yeah, it wasn't a criticism for Falcao himself but rather the system Madrid adapt that relies so much on him.

[Las7 951]

It's ludicrous down playing Falcao for his achievements at Atletico and Porto, by using the argument that the whole team is setup to get the best out of him. Our whole team was designed at a particular time for Drogba and Lampard to score, but when you have quality players around they would also chip in. Madrid and Porto's successes at the International Stage were in large part due to his lethal finishing and considering the quality Madrid lacks it's perfectly normal for them to build a team around getting Falcao the ball in the opposition box. It's like saying Barca is hampered by Messi's brilliance and having to setup their most of their team around him getting the ball.

Falcao has a stellar record with 3 different teams, much better than any of our current strikers. Torres had a side build around him at Liverpool against opposition that rarely bunkered down with 9 players behind the ball - yet his record there is worse, his record at winning trophies is also worse, his record at scoring in big games is also worse. Liverpool are comparable to Atletico Madrid. The Torres we bought was not bought for his creative streak or his work rate, he was brought to score goals because Drogba was getting into his last years and we needed a striker familiar with the League who would affect our season straight away by scoring goals and helping us to win points.

Torres has not been doing it at the required level the last 2 years and still missing sitters, since we aren't going to try alternatives within the squad such as Lukaku and Sturridge. It's obvious if management decides that they have need a striker - we will sign a big name striker and I cannot think of a better option than Falcao at the moment. Roman has always made it clear that if he wants a player he will sign him regardless of the price, so discussing the price and whether it's too high it's irrelevant.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

That was not an answer aimed only at you, I used your message to highlight again that basic stuff :blue scalf:

I feel so...used

Btw, speaking of Falcao, I'm intrigued to know what you think of his build up play. I always thought his passing was below average. (I apologize if you already said it, but I didn't read the whole thread)

[CHOULO19 24,332]

For me he's a penalty box striker, I find him rather poor on the ball, beside short lay offs or rare combinaisons he provides little to the play... Despite his two goals in an European Cup final, he's not the kind to shoot from outside the box. I'm not watching La Liga on a weekly basis though, I don't think I can be more precise than that haha

Exactly. He's an old-fashioned poacher; an excellent one at that but still just a poacher. He can't create, defend, or set up people. I'd take a Drogba type of striker over him every day of the week.

[Las7 951]

1. False

2. May you compare Falcao's ability to create chances, give assists... with Drogba and Lampard's and see how ridiculous your argument is?

1) Tell that to the people who have said we have build the side around Drogba and that's the reason that Torres is struggling. I'm personally pretty happy we had a side build around our best players instead of trying to build a side around a player who has been struggling for 2 years and has little hope of replicating his top form.

2) Falcao is there to score chances not to give out assists, hence his record in terms of goal scoring is far better than Drogba's. If we wanted a forward to replicate what Drogba did then our only option would have been Zlatan.

[Las7 951]

Are you simply reducing Lampard and Drogba to players only suited for one and just one unidimensional way of playing ? Only able to win aerial challenges and score deflected shots and penaltys ? That's just sad...

Nope, I feel Torres is suited to one way of playing and that's a counter attacking team like Liverpool - but due to his loss of speed he wouldn't be as good even playing for such a side. That's the main reason he has had such a subpar record with Spain and Chelsea. He was asked to be in an environment which is different than his preferred way of playing and he is not a good enough footballer to adapt his game and fulfil his duties as first choice striker.

You deduct some conclusion that isn't even hinted by me, I don't see a reason to twist around your arguments and come up with some crazy conclusions about what you were actually "thinking"

I think it will be pretty clear what my main concern is, and why I feel the need for us to sign Falcao if we aren't going to give any of our own players a chance to play two consecutive games up top.

If you feel there is a better player out there to score goals for us who would be available - please go right ahead and tell us who.

[Las7 951]

What you say about Torres isn't false but that would be lying not to notice his contribution and will to adapt his play: being used for direct play (this season), play lay backs back to goal, create chances etc...

What I've noticed is that Torres does a lot of thing which most forward don't - he remains around the penalty spot when our players(attacking midfielders or full backs) get to a crossing position, expecting for someone to play the ball into his feet, or he remains behind a defender expecting the defender to miss the ball in order for him to be left with an easy opportunity. Normally a striker would be on the back of the defender on the near or far post trying to get into a position which would allow him to get a touch on the ball before the defender.

Other thing I've noticed is that Torres lacks behind other players when we are moving quickly towards the penalty box, he receives the ball plays it to someone else and remains outside of the box while our midfielders/defenders would often times find themselves in a position which should be taken by our CF.

He also drifts to the wing trying to escape the clutches of the central defenders guarding him but that leads to lack of options for through balls or leads to guys like Oscar; Ramires; Hazard and Mata having to play with their backs to the goal.

These are things which can be overlooked if they weren't happening in 90% of time, but over the last 2 years these are the reasons why he is not getting into goal scoring positions as often as he should be. If he was doing these things more often than not he would have been awarded goals like the one he had against Reading a lot more often. I'm not bemoaning his erratic first touch; the many touches he continues to take which lead to him being closed down; or his inability to beat defenders with speed and acceleration like he used to - I'm bemoaning simple things which enable even Strikers less Talented than Torres to end up outscoring him in less games.

I never doubted Falcao's abilities (maybe my keyboard did, I didn't saw it), I'm just trying to say that we cannot extrapolate everything from what he does at Atletico.

Falcao is a master of doing simple things right - finishing is a simple part of the game but very few players have the required mentality to do it at the rate Falcao does. He has a superior first touch to Torres and he is far more agile in areas where you need your striker to beat his marker and get a foot to the ball.

Signing a player isn't based on one single asset, even brilliant it is. Especially in big clubs where managers often wants a precise kind of player but if the ones available aren't suited for the whole game plan etc... they aren't signed

Berbatov was not signed on one particular asset, he was signed for a combination of qualities that we can all clearly see - those qualities never disappeared but Chica and Welbeck were preferred because they were able to adapt to Rooney far better than Berbatov. It's simply a question of whether you would ask a club to adapt to a player and whether there is enough profit in adapting to him instead of trying other more suitable options. Right now we have enough players to provide chances to a player like Falcao as proved by our last few games when things are starting to click - what we want is a striker who would have at the very least a 1 in 2 conversation rate when he is faced with a clear goal scoring opportunity. Now I personally think we have such players at our disposal but choose not to play them. It's obvious we won't start a lesser name ahead of Torres unless he is injured; suspended or tired, to a certain degree our managers are pressured into playing him due to his wage; transfer fee; big name status etc.

We made a huge gamble not signing another forward in the summer - thus far everything is working out great, Torres is finding some goal scoring form - we are winning points in the CL and EPL. But concerns still remain we cannot afford not to have someone to put away chances leading our line - what Torres provides as far as linking up with players around him is overrated because a lot of the time it's Torres escaping from responsibility laying it off to someone instead of doing what a striker would do naturally and that would be trying to score or at the very least when you lay it off to someone have the decency to continue your run into the box so you could be an option there - hell Lampard made himself the best goal scoring midfielder in the World just by doing that - ghosting into the box after he has laid it off to someone else.

[fAnta 107]

I can't believe people are arguing of this. @SeB you were talking about Steven fletcher what else does he bring apart from goals. your argument is hypocritical if you want fletcher how can you say no to falcao. this season he has got an assist aswell as 5 goals. last year torres got 12 assists and falcao got 5. Now look at the goals he scored as well. we buy a striker to freaking score. the players we have are made to feed a striker. I dont care but if torres scored the chances he had yesterday instead of you argument for working for team we would have won scored so many goals.

And falcao is more than a poacher he scores all his chances and has the killer instinct. look at the video on the first page. the quality of some of his goals are incredible.