It does not take an expert to see that the Radamel Falcao, that came on as a substitute this past Sunday against Arsenal in the Community Shield, is the same Radamel Falcao that Manchester United said goodbye to at the end of the last campaign.
Since coming to England last season at the end of the transfer window, Falcao failed to find a permanent place in United’s starting eleven. The Columbian appeared 14 times as a starter and 12 as a substitute in Premier League matches. Of those 26 appearances, he was only able to find the net four times. That is not many for someone who, two seasons before, found the net 52 times in 68 appearances at Atletico Madrid.
The difference here is the left knee injury he sustained in January of 2014 when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. Falcao was well on his way to another great season. He hadn't missed a beat when he transferred from Spain to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in May of 2013. Since his injury and subsequent loan deal to United, Falcao is not the player he once was. His movement and ability to find open space seems to elude him. He almost seems scared to make any all out runs or sharp cuts across the pitch.
The question then becomes is he scared of re-injuring that knee or has he lost all confidence in his once magical abilities? Jose Mourinho seems to think he can turn him around and bring him back to per-injury form, but so far, the only difference is the color of his shirt and choice of hairstyle. If Falcao is supposed to be the backup for Diego Costa and the replacement of Didier Drogba, the “Special One” may want to have a rethink and then go shopping.
There is no doubt that Radamel Falcao was once one of the best players in the world. He could have easily been included in any conversation with Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Right now, he is looking more like another Number 9 that used to cause havoc around the Stamford Bridge pitch not so long ago. His once amazing abilities and greatness also seemed to disappear in a blink of an eye. O’ to have a Time Machine Fernando!
Source: DSG
