Radamel Falcao

[Pacquiao 1,834]

i cant believe anyone would want that scum Van Persie at Chelsea!

[Viper22 2,418]

Van Persie started 25 league games + 2 sub appearances (and he didn't miss the other 11 games just because of injuries). And you're exaggerating Remy's and Diego's injury troubles.

I'd love him here. A striker with an excellent first touch, he can hold the ball and link up expertly. Great option on the bench.

While his talent is not in doubt, to suggest that he doesn't have serious injury problems is pretty hilarious. According to transfermarkt (in my experience the most reliable place for data) he has been injured for a total of 511 days since 2007. 160 of those days have been in the last 18 months aswell.

As for Diego/Remy's injury troubles, I love them both as players, but unless Diego gets his hamstring sorted out soon it'll always bother him (he's missed 126 days due to injury in the last 2 seasons from 7 different niggling injuries) and Remy seems to be made of glass and unlucky enough to always get injured when Diego does too.

Bamford is a perfectly acceptable 3rd choice, would be free and has low wages.

I know RVP is/used to be good but i'm not sure it's worth the risk for his injuries or his ridiculously large wage packet either. Especially seeing as how old he is and on the basis of this season he's shown nothing to prove he's still good enough.

[the wes 7,212]

if mourinho thinks its a good idea signing falaco im all for it mourinho we trust if any manager can bring the best outta someone its mourinho

[DYC. 7,542]

While his talent is not in doubt, to suggest that he doesn't have serious injury problems is pretty hilarious. According to transfermarkt (in my experience the most reliable place for data) he has been injured for a total of 511 days since 2007. 160 of those days have been in the last 18 months aswell.

As for Diego/Remy's injury troubles, I love them both as players, but unless Diego gets his hamstring sorted out soon it'll always bother him (he's missed 126 days due to injury in the last 2 seasons from 7 different niggling injuries) and Remy seems to be made of glass and unlucky enough to always get injured when Diego does too.

Bamford is a perfectly acceptable 3rd choice, would be free and has low wages.

I know RVP is/used to be good but i'm not sure it's worth the risk for his injuries or his ridiculously large wage packet either. Especially seeing as how old he is and on the basis of this season he's shown nothing to prove he's still good enough.

I never said Van Persie never had injury problems so I have no idea where you got that from. His injury record since 2007 is irrelevant. It's about right now. He'd be a squad player, not a player expected to start two, three games in one week. Which means his body would have to go through less strain. Chelsea's excellent medical staff is an added bonus for the sake of his physical condition.

Edit: He started 25 league games last season, 18 the season before. That's more than he'd start here.

If you actually think there's a possiblity Mourinho would have to miss Costa, Remy and Van Persie (if he joined) for even one game, let alone a lengthy period, because of injury, than I can imagine why you would not like him to join. I say that's never happening.

Come on now, I don't have to explain to you that he would of course have to accept lower wages. That goes without saying. No one is offering Van Persie a contract for over 200k in wages, not a top side anyway. And on Van Persie not being good to be a back-up... no comment.

[Viper22 2,418]

I never said Van Persie never had injury problems so I have no idea where you got that from. His injury record since 2007 is irrelevant. It's about right now. He'd be a squad player, not a player expected to start two, three games in one week. Which means his body would have to go through less strain. Chelsea's excellent medical staff is an added bonus for the sake of his physical condition.

Edit: He started 25 league games last season, 18 the season before. That's more than he'd start here.

If you actually think there's a possiblity Mourinho would have to miss Costa, Remy and Van Persie (if he joined) for even one game, let alone a lengthy period, because of injury, than I can imagine why you would not like him to join. I say that's never happening.

Come on now, I don't have to explain to you that he would of course have to accept lower wages. That goes without saying. No one is offering Van Persie a contract for over 200k in wages, not a top side anyway. And on Van Persie not being good to be a back-up... no comment.

His injury record since 2007 isn't irrelevant, but ok. I get what you're saying about less strain and better medical staff and that is right.

As for him, Costa and Remy being injured all at once, why not? Take last season for example, there was a period around October-November when Costa missed 4 games through injury and 1 thorugh suspension, Remy missed 7 games through injury and in that time period IIRC RVP was injured too. That'd be 5 games in a row RVP would have to have played, even if he was fit. Also in April-May time, Costa missed 8 games through injury, Remy 5 games and RVP 9. There's 1 instance where we would've been without a striker, so I can't see how you could say it would never happen? Also, having only 1 of 3 striker available at any one time is bad enough, you're relying fully on that striker then and have no differing style on the bench. We should want to have at least 2 strikers around at any 1 time.

Look, I get that RVP is your fellow countryman and so you're going to back him to the hilt, that's understandable. But I really don't think he'd fit at this club or is what we need right now. Of course his wages would be lower but I seriously doubt if he goes from a club that's competing for 4th place to a team that has just become the champions of the same league he's going to take much of a pay cut. Even if he drops down to 150k p/w that's still extortionate, even 100k p/w is far too much for a 3rd choice and he'd never halve his wage demands.

As for him not being good enough to back up... He only scored 10 goals in 29 appearances this season, having played 2197 minutes (that's a goal every 219.7 minutes) which is hardly top class. For comparison Remy got 9 goals this season in 1176 minutes (that's a goal every 130 minutes). Obviously he has been brilliant in the past so i'm not writing him off yet but like you said yourself, the past is irrelevant, it's the now that matters. And the now is telling me that RVP is out of form, on the decline and still has injury problems.

If we're going to buy a 3rd choice striker then why don't we actually buy someone young? We have Remy who is 31 or so and Costa is no spring chicken. Why not bring in a youngster rather than another old player? What about Charlie Austin? Icardi? Dybala? Batshuayi? Ings? Tbh my choice is that we don't buy anyone and promote Bamford to this 1st team because he's more than good enough to be our 3rd choice IMO. But if we insist on buying someone I would much rather 1 of the lot i've mentioned who would be far more of a safe choice than RVP or Falcao, much younger and have much lower wages.

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Chelsea are in pole position to sign Falcao. Juventus were interested but have started looking at other targets. (Il Sussidiario) #CFC #Juve

[DYC. 7,542]

His injury record since 2007 isn't irrelevant, but ok. I get what you're saying about less strain and better medical staff and that is right.

As for him, Costa and Remy being injured all at once, why not? Take last season for example, there was a period around October-November when Costa missed 4 games through injury and 1 thorugh suspension, Remy missed 7 games through injury and in that time period IIRC RVP was injured too. That'd be 5 games in a row RVP would have to have played, even if he was fit. Also in April-May time, Costa missed 8 games through injury, Remy 5 games and RVP 9. There's 1 instance where we would've been without a striker, so I can't see how you could say it would never happen? Also, having only 1 of 3 striker available at any one time is bad enough, you're relying fully on that striker then and have no differing style on the bench. We should want to have at least 2 strikers around at any 1 time.

Look, I get that RVP is your fellow countryman and so you're going to back him to the hilt, that's understandable. But I really don't think he'd fit at this club or is what we need right now. Of course his wages would be lower but I seriously doubt if he goes from a club that's competing for 4th place to a team that has just become the champions of the same league he's going to take much of a pay cut. Even if he drops down to 150k p/w that's still extortionate, even 100k p/w is far too much for a 3rd choice and he'd never halve his wage demands.

As for him not being good enough to back up... He only scored 10 goals in 29 appearances this season, having played 2197 minutes (that's a goal every 219.7 minutes) which is hardly top class. For comparison Remy got 9 goals this season in 1176 minutes (that's a goal every 130 minutes). Obviously he has been brilliant in the past so i'm not writing him off yet but like you said yourself, the past is irrelevant, it's the now that matters. And the now is telling me that RVP is out of form, on the decline and still has injury problems.

If we're going to buy a 3rd choice striker then why don't we actually buy someone young? We have Remy who is 31 or so and Costa is no spring chicken. Why not bring in a youngster rather than another old player? What about Charlie Austin? Icardi? Dybala? Batshuayi? Ings? Tbh my choice is that we don't buy anyone and promote Bamford to this 1st team because he's more than good enough to be our 3rd choice IMO. But if we insist on buying someone I would much rather 1 of the lot i've mentioned who would be far more of a safe choice than RVP or Falcao, much younger and have much lower wages.

Van Persie and I sharing a nationality has nothing to do with it. This is the first time I've been called biased towards Dutch players, I guess it was bound to happen. There are only two Dutch players I've been a fan of, Bergkamp and Robben. They've could've been Nigerian for all I care. Being a fan or being biased towards a player that was born in the same country as yourself is something I find utterly ridiculous and have never understood. I judge based on quality.

Looking at his minutes per goal is fine and all, but that's not what you focus on in a back up striker. And Van Persie has never been a pure goal-scorer, he offers more than that.

Remy is 28 if I'm not mistaken. Costa is 26. They have plenty of years ahead of them, and then there's Solanke. Chelsea can also buy players every summer and winter, not every signing has to be and can be long term.

You seem to be part of the group that places a lot of importance on having two quality (even though Van Persie is still quality imo) strikers on the bench. Take a look at the other elite clubs in Europe and look at their options.

[Viper22 2,418]

Van Persie and I sharing a nationality has nothing to do with it. This is the first time I've been called biased towards Dutch players, I guess it was bound to happen. There are only two Dutch players I've been a fan of, Bergkamp and Robben. They've could've been Nigerian for all I care. Being a fan or being biased towards a player that was born in the same country as yourself is something I find utterly ridiculous and have never understood. I judge based on quality.

Looking at his minutes per goal is fine and all, but that's not what you focus on in a back up striker. And Van Persie has never been a pure goal-scorer, he offers more than that.

Remy is 28 if I'm not mistaken. Costa is 26. They have plenty of years ahead of them, and then there's Solanke. Chelsea can also buy players every summer and winter, not every signing has to be and can be long term.

You seem to be part of the group that places a lot of importance on having two quality (even though Van Persie is still quality imo) strikers on the bench. Take a look at the other elite clubs in Europe and look at their options.

I never accused you of bias mate. Read what I said again. I said you back your countrymen to the hilt, as does everyone. I'm the same, I'm loyal to Chelsea players and England players and will defend them as much as I can. It wasn't an accusation of bias. It's a natural thing that we all have.

As for the minutes per goal thing. Well yeah I agree that's not everything but I don't see what more RVP offers? He's not quick around the park, doesn't work particularly hard with or without the ball and doesn't often get assists. He's an underrated passer of the ball I grant you, but I'd much rather a player who's going to work hard and can score goals when the team is under intense pressure. RVP's greatest strength IMO is his finishing. When on form his finishing is easily one of the best in the world. I mean, look at some of the goals he's scored in recent years, ridiculous.

You are right actually I thought Remy was older for some reason.

I don't think we should have 2 quality strikers on the bench no, all the players I suggested are not exactly the best in the world!!

Ok, Real Madrid have Benzema, CR7, Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez. Barcelona have Neymar, Messi and Suarez.

I don't think it's unreasonable to want Costa, Remy and Bamford/Austin/Ings/Icardi.

[DYC. 7,542]

I never accused you of bias mate. Read what I said again. I said you back your countrymen to the hilt, as does everyone. I'm the same, I'm loyal to Chelsea players and England players and will defend them as much as I can. It wasn't an accusation of bias. It's a natural thing that we all have.

As for the minutes per goal thing. Well yeah I agree that's not everything but I don't see what more RVP offers? He's not quick around the park, doesn't work particularly hard with or without the ball and doesn't often get assists. He's an underrated passer of the ball I grant you, but I'd much rather a player who's going to work hard and can score goals when the team is under intense pressure. RVP's greatest strength IMO is his finishing. When on form his finishing is easily one of the best in the world. I mean, look at some of the goals he's scored in recent years, ridiculous.

You are right actually I thought Remy was older for some reason.

I don't think we should have 2 quality strikers on the bench no, all the players I suggested are not exactly the best in the world!!

Ok, Real Madrid have Benzema, CR7, Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez. Barcelona have Neymar, Messi and Suarez.

I don't think it's unreasonable to want Costa, Remy and Bamford/Austin/Ings/Icardi.

Haha I even disagree with that. Backing your countrymen... I really don't understand that. But I'll leave that alone, it's not important.

Fair enough, I misunderstood then. I don't understand why a young player would leave being first choice role at their club to become a back-up though.

Jese never plays up top, Cristiano only plays centre-forward with a partner. Benzema and Hernandez are Real's strikers. Neymar never plays striker for Barca. Once Suarez claimed the #9 spot, Barca never looked back and only use him. If he's injured or rested. Pedro comes in, a natural wide man.

Most top teams with a one-striker system have two strikers, with a wide man or attacking midfielder (or youth player) as the third option. It's not an crucial role that needs to be stocked with a great option imo.

[ChelseaFanUK 1,014]

SSN just reported that they understand Falcao is speaking to Chelsea ahead of a move

[Special Juan 27,439]

Yes, sounds like it could happen.

[LAM09 6,777]

Not surprised. It's not secret that Mourinho prefers experienced players.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

It's seems close now. But still waiting for confirmation. This is the kind of deal that could falls through anytime.

[nyikolajevics 2,595]

Falcao has been on his way to Chelsea for 2009. Sign him already and get over it because I'm sick of the constant rumours.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Falcao has been on his way to Chelsea for 2009. Sign him already and get over it because I'm sick of the constant rumours.

This time is more possible than ever though. We don't have any real competitors.

[nyikolajevics 2,595]

This time is more possible than ever though. We don't have any real competitors.

Well, according to Sky there are several other clubs.

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

I'm trusting Jose's judgment here and if Chelsea's medical team will give the green light on this, then hell yeah, bring El Tigre here. As much as I love Diego Costa, I think Falcao is a better all round player and I feel Chelsea will benefit so much from this signing.

A monster of a striker before that injury, his work rate is still amazing and if he can get back to his old form, than Chelsea will have a hell of a strikeforce next season. Another positive in this is that Diego and Falcao have played together for Atletico, so they know each other very well.

The fact that he is willing to take a huge pay cut in his wages and play for Mourinho shows his desire to get back to his old form and bang goals for fun. He is simply too good to pass on. Hopefully that injury is behind him now after a season of accomodation in England.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Well, according to Sky there are several other clubs.

I mean in England. Heard he want to play in England really bad.