Radamel Falcao

[The only place to be 11,313]

I'm not saying we shouldn't buy, Because its clear we have to buy. But we have to be careful what we do, and how much we spend. Because no matter what, There's always a chance that the signing will flop and under-perform.

I actually see where you're coming from. Signing Torres has put me off making big-money signings up-front because we really don't have a particularly good record with them. Shevchenko, Mutu, Torres, Sutton, Fleck, Casiraghi....can't we just pick up another Mark Stein??

[Corner 456]

I'm not saying we shouldn't buy, Because its clear we have to buy. But we have to be careful what we do, and how much we spend. Because no matter what, There's always a chance that the signing will flop and under-perform.

There is always a chance of that happening, of course. But I think there is much less of a chance of it happening with Falcao. His mentality and his attitude is much stronger than Torres' and if Falcao was to Flop, I'm guessing it would be because of injury problems.

[robdog 2,084]

Someone remind me why he would even contemplate coming here?

I see Falcao staying at Atletico....at least until the end of this season.

You two need to stop making sense. We all know that on FIFA FM, we can get any deal done

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Fear of Falcao keeps Mourinho up all night ahead of El Derbi

haha

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Fear of Falcao keeps Mourinho up all night ahead of El Derbi

haha

I bet Mourinho isnt even bothered about Falcao, Ramos and Pepe will keep him quiet no problem.

[GermanBlue 82]

I'm excited to see him tonight. The last time I saw a match of him live was when he raped us, so he has some expectiations to forfill. No, seriously, I've never seen him coming to us in January and with our recent performances and the fact that Atletico are playing one of the best seasons they've ever played, chances aren't increasing. Still hoping for summer though.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Falcao can score on Saturday and on Sunday.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Here's a great article to calm any of those who have doubts over Falcao"flopping".

Falcao will cost Chelsea or Manchester City £100m (this figure includes wages for a presumed 200k per week contract and is a figure I don't know how they got, he has a 48 mill clause and this is typical senseationlising. Nothing to see here)but the Atletico Madrid striker is worth every penny

On the pitch just now, it is no different. As every match passes without Fernando Torres scoring, the spectre of Radamel Falcao moves into sharper focus.

With 14 goals in 13 matches so far this season for Atletico Madrid, Falcao goes into Saturday’s derby against Real boasting a better strike rate than Cristiano Ronaldo and playing for the team who are presenting Barcelona with their biggest domestic threat.

On form, comparisons with Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have become increasingly legitimate.

For Chelsea and Manchester City, the allure only deepens at the knowledge that Falcao is almost certainly available, perhaps in January but more likely at the end of the season, for anyone willing to pay a release clause of £48 million.

Add on wage demands that are likely to exceed £200,000 a week and the £100 million question for Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, two owners whose fingers have already been burnt in the transfer market, is whether Falcao is really worth it.

Yet from Colombia to Spain, via Portugal and Argentina, those who have worked closest with him are convinced. Diego Simeone, who has managed Falcao at River Plate and now Atletico, predicts that he will become, quite simply, the “best in the world”.

Why? “Because he will keep on improving,” says Simeone.

“He has an intuition and a level of accuracy in front of goal that I have only ever seen in Hugo Sanchez but he is a more complete player. I am convinced he will become the best in his position.”

Diego Godin, a team-mate at Atletico, believes that he already has the edge over Ronaldo:

“He is a penalty box player but he can also play with his back to goal and hold the ball up,” says Godin. “He moves intelligently without the ball but, as a goal scorer, he is incredible. Cristiano is a little bit more predictable. I think he is just a notch below Falcao.”

His temperament, especially a down-to-earth modesty, is also contrasted with Ronaldo. Jorge Lopez, a journalist for Diario Olé who got to know Falcao during his four years at River Plate, describes him as the antipathy of many modern players. “He’s an anti-hero in the sense that he is nothing like Cristiano Ronaldo,” he says. “He is a very religious man; a devout believer who tries to remain very humble despite the fame and fortune now coming his way.

"But he’s tough – he learnt to be tough at River both on the pitch where he got kicked all over the place as soon as defences realised how good he was, and also off the pitch where he was a young kid away from home.”

Between City and Chelsea just now, there can be little doubt whose need is the greatest. And, among those who know Falcao best, there is the instinctive sense that he would fit ideally into the more fluid and creative style that Abramovich apparently craves.

Eduardo Lara gave Falcao his international debut for the Colombia Under-17 team and believes that he would also maximise the potential of Chelsea’s other recent acquisitions.

“The special thing about him is that combines that brilliant finishing with such a great touch,” said Lara. “He can drop back into midfield and play with players like Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar. He is lethal in front of goal and has the touch of a cultured midfield player. I have no doubt at all that Falcao would fit into that team and that Rafa Benítez would get the best out of him. When you have a player that talented you know that based on ability he will fit in anywhere so it becomes down to character and he has the character to go to another country and be a success.He has already shown it in Argentina, Portugal and Spain and, if he goes to London, he will demonstrate it again without any problem.”

A particularly telling comparison is also drawn by Gregorio Manzano, who has managed both Torres and Falcao at Atletico.

“You look at how good he [Falcao] is now and think how much better he would be with the best players around him,” says Manzano. “There would be no problem adapting to a style where he had to work as a lone striker. In terms of coping with the physical demands of the Premier League he definitely has the strength.”

Intriguingly, Manzano describes Torres as a “confidence player” and is also certain that he will eventually revive his career. But, as Abramovich considers the gamble of breaking the British transfer record for the third time on a striker, there is specific reassurance about Falcao’s psychological ability to deal with the pressure of such a move.

“He shows that mental toughness in finals,” said Manzano.“Think about the Europa League final with Porto, the Europa League final with Atletico Madrid against Athletic Bilbao and the Super Cup win over Chelsea.You need enormous mental strength to play those type of games the way he does as if they were just another match. Whoever signs Falcao will have made the right decision. He is as close to a safe bet as you can have.”

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I think 5 of his 14 goals are penalties.

[DDA 9,937]

I would never beg nor even ask for Roman to splash 100 million on Messi, let alone Falcao. No player is worth that amount of money , especially when there are plenty of other clinical strikers who would fit the bill here. I would rather Cavani over Falcao anyways as I could see him being the big presence player we need up top again. Having said that, if we were to bring Falcao here then I certainly wouldn't moan about it, just not for 100 million pounds.

[DH1988 1,348]

I think that's factoring in wages too not a 100m fee in transfer

[Pacquiao 1,834]

I would never beg nor even ask for Roman to splash 100 million on Messi, let alone Falcao. No player is worth that amount of money , especially when there are plenty of other clinical strikers who would fit the bill here. I would rather Cavani over Falcao anyways as I could see him being the big presence player we need up top again. Having said that, if we were to bring Falcao here then I certainly wouldn't moan about it, just not for 100 million pounds.

are you seriously saying you would be against roman paying £100 Million for Messi? that would be a bargain for him!

[DDA 9,937]

are you seriously saying you would be against roman paying £100 Million for Messi? that would be a bargain for him!

Yes mate I am. No player is worth 100 million pounds. We could buy 4 players who would add more to the squad than what one player would. I thought our fans more than most fans would appreciate that big price tagged players don't always bring what we expect to the table.

[Stats 7,142]

Let's just get the story straight. Anyone expecting us to get Falcao in January, expect huge disappointment. There is no way Atletico, who on paper are challenging for La Liga, are in a good position and have a desperate need to reach the Champions League, are going to sell their best player. It does not make sense, they need him for their chances of qualifying for the competition because it would really help them get rid of the debts they got there. If they sell him they will be a far inferior team and will fall down the table for sure. Unless we are going to pay £100m plus for him this transfer will not happen in January. It is in Atletico's and Falcao's best interest to let him go in the summer at least.

[fAnta 107]

Yes mate I am. No player is worth 100 million pounds. We could buy 4 players who would add more to the squad than what one player would. I thought our fans more than most fans would appreciate that big price tagged players don't always bring what we expect to the table.

Let's just get the story straight. Anyone expecting us to get Falcao in January, expect huge disappointment. There is no way Atletico, who on paper are challenging for La Liga, are in a good position and have a desperate need to reach the Champions League, are going to sell their best player. It does not make sense, they need him for their chances of qualifying for the competition because it would really help them get rid of the debts they got there. If they sell him they will be a far inferior team and will fall down the table for sure. Unless we are going to pay £100m plus for him this transfer will not happen in January. It is in Atletico's and Falcao's best interest to let him go in the summer at least.

You are aware it isn't 100 million his buyout clause is 48 million. atletico cant ask for anymore than that. 100 million is just the media spicing up the headline by adding in agent fees a figue of 200k a week and god knows what else. Wouldve thought you knew that...

[Rmpr 8,977]

I would never beg nor even ask for Roman to splash 100 million on Messi, let alone Falcao.

You realise Torres will cost us more than 100mi if he stays until the end of his contract right?

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Its not the question if Falcao will come in jan or not, but if he comes, will he actualy be that good?

He hasnt score in last five matches (pens dont count) and he somehow dipped in form-doesnt do anything realy good in team, besides scoring.

If he doesnt score, he is more or less invisible, but still big player anyway.

[Stats 7,142]

You are aware it isn't 100 million his buyout clause is 48 million. atletico cant ask for anymore than that. 100 million is just the media spicing up the headline by adding in agent fees a figue of 200k a week and god knows what else. Wouldve thought you knew that...

Just remembered the buyout clause thanks. However I can't see him wanting to leave Atletico in Jan. He is quite loyal and in other words as said he wants to stay there till January but will one point want to move on. I am sure he will be an Atletico player come February.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Its not the question if Falcao will come in jan or not, but if he comes, will he actualy be that good?

He hasnt score in last five matches (pens dont count) and he somehow dipped in form-doesnt do anything realy good in team, besides scoring.

If he doesnt score, he is more or less invisible, but still big player anyway.

Check the article I posted in the page before. Menazo who worked with both Torres and Falcao sums up the why Falcao shouldn't flop.

"He shows that mental toughness in finals,” said Manzano.“Think about the Europa League final with Porto, the Europa League final with Atletico Madrid against Athletic Bilbao and the Super Cup win over Chelsea.You need enormous mental strength to play those type of games the way he does as if they were just another match. Whoever signs Falcao will have made the right decision. He is as close to a safe bet as you can have.”

Equally he described Torres as a “confidence player”.

That's the difference, Falcao has the mental toughness which separates a good player from a world class player. He's got the mentality of a champion, last year a certain number 11 passed his prime showed how far a positive/strong mental strength can take you.

[petr.breu 1,618]

Stupid from him now...