Filed under: Chelsea, Tottenham, Football, Introductions
To do his full moniker justice, Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate - more often known as Falcao - is a Colombian forward enjoying a spectacularly purple patch at Porto.The 25-year-old started his senior career in Argentina at River Plate where he scored 39 goals in 87 appearances. But it was not until he moved to Porto in 2009 that his career took off. Falcao has managed to score 41 times in 50 appearances for the Portuguese champions, including 17 goals in a championship Europa League campaign that spanned 14 games.
Falcao has been linked with a move to West London from the moment Andre Villas-Boas left Porto to take over from Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea manager though Tottenham and even Arsenal were also linked with him.
By way of an introduction, here are five factoids (descriptions doubtless featuring varying degrees of accuracy) about Falcao:
- "Despite standing just 5'9" he is exceptional in the air, combining perfect timing and tremendous athleticism. And he is no slouch on the deck either. Many of his goals fall into the classic 'fox in the box' category, where he manages to find a way to beat the goalkeeper from the most improbable of opportunities - so much so that he has turned the back-heel flick, (performed memorably in midair versus Benfica earlier this season) into something of a personal speciality. Spectacular overhead kicks are another, often effective, indulgence.
"Yet Falcao's impressive goal to game ratio - which stands this season at a remarkable 23 goals in 29 games - is far from his sole contribution. His link-up play is of the highest order, often dropping back and playing between the lines, and he has a work rate one rarely sees in such prolific scorers." (ITV.com)
- "Radamel Falcao is best known for his staggering goals total in the 20010-11 Europa League. His tally of 17 surpassed Jurgen Klinsmann's previous record of 15 in European competition, set in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup with Bayern Munich.
"An excellent header of the ball, and deadly finisher on the ground, Falcao is among the most coveted strikers in Europe." (World Soccer)
- "Falcao is undoubtedly an out and out centre-forward with a sharp eye for goal. The ex-River Plate man is known for his terrific tactical awareness inside penalty box, which explains his goal-scoring record. Falcao is strong on both his foot and does pose significant threat when it comes to aerial battle. A few crosses into Falcao's path and he will definitely score at least one. However, speed isn't something embedded in him and assist from faster players are needed to showcase his talent." (Livesoccertv.com)
- "The Colombian hit-man has found the back of the net 10 times in the Europa League this season and last week scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Spartak Moscow. The 25-year-old who came through the ranks at Argentinian side River Plate has turned into a prolific striker after his move to Portugal." (Metro)
- "Porto, left betrayed by Villas-Boas, fears that their star players could follow him to Chelsea. However, they won't let them go without making sufficient profit. Porto chairman Pinto da Costa told Chelsea that they would have to meet the figure of £62 million if they want Jao Moutinho and Radamel Falcao to move to London.
"Falcao has a release clause of £26 million, while Moutinho and Hulk are also linked with a move following Villas-Boas." (ibtimes.com)
In his own words:
"I am leaving things up to my agent," Falcao said. "I am very calm about the situation but I know there has been some movement. If Chelsea is interested in me then all that needs to happen is for negotiations to take place." (Sky Sports)
And finally, a few clips of Falcao in action:
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