Strengths and Weaknesses of Chelsea's Summer Transfer Signing Radamel Falcao
Chelsea demanded a striking replacement for Didier Drogba this summer. Surprisingly, the Blues elected not to open Roman Abramovich's substantial bank vault, but rather look for a more cost-efficient option.
In the second-most confusing disappearance world football has witnessed in the past half decade (only behind Fernando Torres), Radamel Falcao—on loan from AS Monaco—is the striker Jose Mourinho nominated as Drogba's replacement for the 2015/16 season.
Signing Falcao on July 3, after his disappointing loan spell with Manchester United in 2014/15 and corresponding, lacklustre performances at the Copa America, Chelsea are taking a massive gamble on the fitness levels of Diego Costa and the messianic-like healing powers of Mourinho.
Without evidence on Falcao while wearing a Chelsea shirt, our first course of action is parsing through the Colombian's strengths and weaknesses, possibly finding reasons why the west Londoners would consider him a viable option, despite his seeming deterioration.
Weaknesses
Were Falcao to have found himself in London four seasons ago, stating weaknesses in his game would have been tantamount to impossible—as the No. 9 was arguably Europe's most sought-after attacker. After Falcao secured £35 million (2011) and £52 million (2013) moves to Atletico Madrid and Monaco respectively, many would have considered him the world's foremost goalscorer, not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
How the mighty have fallen.
Undone by injury, specifically a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the now-29-year-old has never returned to the heights he reached in his mid-20s.
Falcao's weaknesses are apparent. The first is trust. Does he trust his knee to make cuts, to leap and to take tackles? These can only be answered by the footballer himself, but he carries the on-pitch comportment of a man unwilling to take risks.
His seeming lack of physical trust seeps into his biggest challenge: what happens between the ears. If the Colombian international does not trust his body, he cannot feel assured in his abilities—and mental fortitude is how the best athletes generate confidence.
Strengths
The reasons Chelsea acquired Falcao are varied. One: They needed a replacement. Two: They did his agent, Jorge Mendes, a favour. Finally, they are wagering "the old" Falcao will somehow resurrect himself.
Mourinho feels confident in motivating his players. At Manchester United, Louis van Gaal was not necessarily a motivator; Mourinho—while straightforward—tends to play mind games, both with the press and his players. Hence, in nearly every respect, Falcao's first strength is his current manager.
The second strength is expectation level.
Starting with Porto until his Manchester United move, Falcao's monumental reputation has always preceded him. Supporters, managers and those signing cheques expected world-class production from a world-class talent. After 2014/15, however, those expectations are no longer in effect.
Falcao, essentially, has a "tabula rasa" with the defending English champions; no sane mind expects 20 goals and 10 assists from him next season. This change facilitates less pressure and possibly an easier, more productive west London adventure.
Conclusion
Chelsea have made it their aim to be prudent since Mourinho's re-arrival in 2013. Neither chasing after lost causes nor outbidding themselves, and complying with UEFA's financial fair play regulations, have seen only logical options enter the Stamford Bridge dressing room.
Falcao on loan is risk-free for Mourinho (unless Costa and Loic Remy are concurrently unavailable) and makes business sense. Footballing sense, though, is an altogether different proposition.
The 29-year-old Colombian was arguably Europe's best striker at one point in his career, but those times have gone.
His job in 2015/16 is to be better than Drogba. Unable to provide the dressing-room influence and camaraderie element the talismanic Ivorian gave Chelsea last season, Falcao's mission is to eclipse the seven goals Drogba handed Mourinho last season.
Anything under that target and the curtain will close on Falcao's top-flight career—if it has not done so already.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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