Should Radamel Falcao be Colombia's first-choice striker at Copa America?
When Jose Pekerman named Falcao as Colombia’s captain, it felt as though he was making a point. It’s true that with the 39-year-old Mario Yepes finally yielding to age, he needed a new captain, but giving Falcao that role seemed designed to reassure him that he is still central to this Colombia. Still, in a tournament full of narratives of players and teams looking to put right disappoints and wrongs of the recent past, Falcao notably has a point to prove.
The striker was unquestionably central to Colombia’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup, scoring nine goals and leading the line superbly. He was powerful, quick, held the ball up well and could finish. When he suffered a knee injury in the January before the tournament, Colombia despaired.
They did everything they could to get him back in time, but eventually had to accept that he wasn’t fit enough. Yet without Falcao, Colombia prospered, using either Teo Guttierez as a lone striker or playing him alongside Jackson Martinez. They also had Adrian Ramos and Carlos Bacca as back up.
At that point the general line was that Falcao would return and that Colombia were fortunate to be blessed with so many gifted back-ups, but after a disappointing season for Manchester United, it’s legitimate to ask whether Falcao any longer deserves to be first choice for his country.
“I expect him to reach his maximum level for Colombia,” said Pekerman, and Falcao responded by breaking Colombia’s all-time goalscoring record on Saturday with a goal in the 3-1 friendly victory over Costa Rica, his fifth in five games for his country.
After Jose Mourinho had revealed Falcao may be a Chelsea target, there was perhaps significance in the fact that the goal was set up by a cross from Juan Cuadrado, another player in a tournament full of them who has something to prove after a forgettable six months in west London.
It’s Falcao, though, whose form has been most suspect. By WhoScored.com rating, he was only the 21st best player at United last season, scoring just four goals in 26 games. The decline set in during that season in Monaco.
After 52 goals in 67 starts over two season at Atletico, he scored just nine in 16 in his one full season in France. Shots per game, passes per game, aerials won and dribbles per game have all shown a steady fall from Atletico through Monaco to United. He simply isn’t as involved as he once was, which may be down to a lack of confidence or may be the result of fatigue.
Perhaps there was an issue of him settling in new countries. Perhaps United’s style of play didn’t suit him. Perhaps it will simply take time for him to get over the knee injury. But there is a thought that Falcao is an old 29: he made his debut, after all, at the age of 13, and the years take their toll. It may be that the best is already behind him.
United have released Falcao and he has returned to Monaco, although there’s little chance of him remaining there next season. Chelsea’s apparent interest is a little baffling, although with Didier Drogba retired they do need further striking cover.
But if Falcao really wants to persuade potential suitors that the old magic hasn’t entirely deserted him, that the problems at Old Trafford were to do with the club rather than him, he needs a good Copa America. With the likes of Martinez and Bacca, both of whom have had excellent seasons, in the squad, he may not have much time to impress.