Radamel Falcao arrived in England with a glowing reputation but left as damaged goods... now the Colombian striker is back and ready to deliver a fatal blow to the Three Lions in Russia
- Radamel Falcao is set to take on England for Colombia in the World Cup last 16
- The striker endured miserable spells at both Manchester United and Chelsea
- However the 32-year-old is enjoying a career renaissance in France with Monaco
- Now he is back and ready to banish the ghosts of his dismal Premier League spell
England fans could be forgiven for taking one look at the Colombian attack tonight and shrugging their shoulders as to suggest there is no need to worry.
They would be wrong though because the once maligned Radamel Falcao is thriving again and ready to banish the ghosts of his time in the Premier League.
The 32-year-old arrived in England four years ago with a reputation as one of the world’s deadliest strikers but returned to Monaco after spells with Manchester United and Chelsea as damaged goods.
Radamel Falcao will be leading the line for Colombia against England on Tuesday night
Falcao moved to Old Trafford in 2014 in what was considered a sublime piece of business on deadline day. He was still looking to regain the sharpness that was lost after rupturing his ACL very early into his Monaco career.
The injury was a bitter blow that was ultimately the catalyst for his career coming to a virtual standstill. Not only did it rule him out of the 2014 World Cup, in which his Colombia team-mates shone, it led him on a downward spiral that almost saw his reputation turn to ruins.
After recovering from the injury, Falcao's arrival at United was initially greeted with enormous excitement. This was one of Europe's great strikers, albeit on loan initially, but rated highly enough to command £285,000 a week.
His spell at Old Trafford was far from a career reawakening though. At first he looked an inspired signing after scoring the winner against Everton but then he slipped down the pecking order and struggled. Scoring just four goals in 29 matches, United chose not to exercise their option to sign him permanently and he headed back to France.
Falcao moved to Old Trafford in 2014 in what was considered a sublime piece of business
He was still looking to regain the sharpness lost after rupturing his ACL playing for Monaco
Scoring just four goals in 29 matches, United chose not to exercise their option to sign him
Jose Mourinho then took it upon himself to try and resurrect Falcao's career by bringing him to Chelsea in 2015 on another season-long long. Mourinho was keen to banish any misjudgements that his spell in Manchester created.
‘If I can help Falcao reach his level again, I will do it. It hurts me people in England think that the real Falcao is the one we saw at United,’ he said.
Ultimately, Mourinho couldn't get the best out of him either in what proved to be an abysmal campaign at Stamford Bridge that saw the Portuguese sacked before Christmas. Falcao started one league game after suffering a groin injury and returned to Monaco once again.
At this point he was a shadow of his former self. In 2012, Falcao scored a 39-minute hat-trick to claim the UEFA Super Cup for Atletico Madrid against Chelsea.
Gary Cahill, who is in the England squad for tonight’s round of 16 tie in Moscow, was in opposition during that stunning performance at Stade Louis II, which ironically is now Falcao’s hunting ground.
Jose Mourinho tried to resurrect Falcao's career by bringing him to Chelsea in 2015 on loan
Mourinho couldn't get the best out of him either as he started one league game during his spell
Falcao’s return to Monaco has been remarkable and he helped guide them to the Ligue 1 title
'He had a difficult time (at Chelsea),' Cahill has said since. 'But clearly, outside of our country, he's scored many, many goals. We were on the end of one performance, in the UEFA Super Cup against Atletico Madrid.
'It showed his character when he went back to Monaco to find his form again and now he's a huge player for them and a proven goalscorer.
'I'm sure a huge part of the problem at Chelsea was confidence. He had that spell at Manchester United, then he came to us and was short of sharpness both times. I suppose, in his eyes, its history now he has rediscovered his form.’
Falcao’s turnaround since returning to Monaco has been remarkable. He recovered his ruthless streak in front of goal to notch 30 goals in 43 appearances in 16/17. He was integral to Leonardo Jardim’s side that wrestled the Ligue 1 title from Paris Saint-Germain and made it to the Champions League semi-finals.
England's John Stones was playing when Falcao scored twice for Monaco at Manchester City
In 17/18 he produced an admirable 24 goals in 36 games to reach a debut World Cup
He has already shown the renewed prowess by scoring against Poland in the group stages
John Stones, an integral member of Gareth Southgate’s back three in Russia, was playing for Manchester City when Falcao scored twice for Monaco in an away Champions League leg, including a fabulous chip.
Even when the Monaco side was ransacked last summer, the Colombian managed to retain his impressive record. In 17/18 he produced an admirable 24 goals in 36 appearances to cement his place in Colombia’s squad and reach a debut World Cup.
With James Rodriguez’s involvement against England still doubtful, Colombia captain Falcao will become the focal point of their attack. He has already shown the prowess that has returned to his game, scoring against Poland to edge his nation to the knockout stages.
Tonight could be the biggest test in Falcao’s rejuvenation. His career almost ground to a halt in England but now he has the chance to send the Three Lions packing and ultimately banish those dismal years in the Premier League completely.
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