Worst kept secret in Football confirmed: Falcao to Chelsea complete

It seems like one of those ballsy twists in a game of Blackjack, when you already have 19; get a two and it’s a brilliant move, get anything higher and you’re stupid. Radamel Falcao to Chelsea can go the same ways as that blackjack move. Rather than stick with Loïc Remy (seemingly linked with every midtable team in the League), Jose Mourinho has twisted by signing Falcao. Having chased him every summer in the past 5 years, Chelsea have finally got their man, but only time will tell if he’ll be worth the money.

Radamel Falcao in action for Colombia

Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know that I haven’t wanted this transfer to happen. I think Remy is guaranteed more of an impact off the bench, and that I’d like to see Bamford used this season, rather than loaned out again. However, now it’s happened, I’ll be interested to see how it unfolds. The deal is a bit of an enigma, as nobody is sure how much he’ll be on a week, how much this loan will cost us, whether we have to buy him after the loan; but most importantly, will he be able to get back to his best? 

Clearly he is still feeling the impact of his cruciate injury whilst at Monaco, and his rush back to full fitness in an attempt to play for Colombia at the World Cup. Being signed by Man United on Deadline Day, meaning him not having a proper pre-season with them, obviously didn’t help the situation either. With the deal being announced today, he’ll be with the squad for the tour over the Pond (featuring the prestigious International Champions Cup Presented By Guinness) and the Community Shield, which means he should be able to get fit for the upcoming season. 

In addition, it goes without saying, that if anyone can get Falcao back to his best, you think that Mourinho is that man. Add to that the fact that he and Diego Costa both played together at Atletico Madrid is a big bonus for Jose, giving him options of playing a deadly two up top if we’re chasing goals. Potentially having two top class strikers, if Falcao does get back to his best, suggests an ambition to mount a challenge on all fronts, particularly retaining the Title and winning the Champions League. This ambition is exactly what we fans want to see, especially as the only disappointment I held from last season was that capitulation at the Bridge to a 10-man PSG. 

Reunited: From the Vicente Calderon to Stamford Bridge, via Stade Louis and Old Trafford

In summary, Falcao’s signing could be inspired, or infamous. Since the mid 90s, Chelsea have had a history of being home to some of the best centre forwards in Europe: Hughes, Vialli, Flo, Zola, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink, Crespo, Drogba, Shevchenko, Anelka, Torres, Eto’o, Costa. Falcao has added his name to that illustrious list, but it’s up to him to see what company he keeps within it; it’s easy to see him having a role like Eto’o and Anelka had in their spells here, but it’s also all too easy to see him listed alongside Shevchenko and Torres as flops. Jose Mourinho has twisted at the transfer blackjack table, time will only tell if he’s come up with an ace or gone bust.