Once considered one of the best footballers in the world, Radamel Falcao's downfall was as swift as it was seemingly permanent. Since the fateful ACL injury suffered in his first season at AS Monaco, the Colombian striker had only played about 2000 minutes of club football across two and a half years.
Falcao’s path to recovery included season-long loans to Manchester United and Chelsea; he failed to impress at either, finding himself on the bench due to poor performances or in the treatment due to continuing injury issues. At Chelsea last season, he barely managed about 350 minutes in twelve appearances (two starts).
Since Monaco were unable to find another foolish club to help take on Falcao’s wages this summer, El Tigre’s back in the principality and hoping to find a few goals still. So far so good, as he scored in two of his first three appearances. In fact, those goals were such confidence-inspiring goals that Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev thought it wise to make the following comments.
"Both clubs in England failed to relaunch him. I don't know whether Manchester United and Chelsea did not have the patience or the desire to do that but I am quite sure this year we will see Falcao at his previous best."
"He is the same Falcao as he ever. We've seen that in pre-season. He scores goals, he's there and he is motivated, we are motivated and I think this will be his year."
"You have to be patient but the big clubs have other topics on their agenda. If you sign a player of this magnitude after a big injury it takes time and games to get him back into shape."
"This is what we will do and what Manchester United and Chelsea didn't do, failed to do or didn't want to do. We all see the qualities are there and it is a matter of time. Monaco will make every effort and you will see a very different Falcao this season to the one you saw in England."
-Vadim Vasilyev; source: Daily Mail
So, the club who have done everything in their power these last couple seasons to get rid of the oft-injured yet highly paid striker are now accusing others of not having the “desire” and the “patience” to deal with the man’s recovery?
LOL.
(That said, good luck, Mr. Falcao; may this be a good sign of things to come.)