I therefore took it upon myself to keenly understand why we need this player and why on earth we need to use a young promising goalkeeper as part of this deal. I am against this deal and here is why:
1. Price Tag
Whereas Fernando Torres failed to ignite his Liverpool career at Chelsea, a lot has been attributed to the price tag on his head, which was a British record and which to many put a lot of pressure on him. As if we did not learn our lesson with Shevshenko deal, some football analysts have argued that a highly priced player does not necessarily live up to the expectations, especially in England. They point out Robinho, Alfonso Alves, Shevshenko and many others who have flopped. There’s a difference when one says “Torres is Chelsea’s flop” and when the same person says “Torres is Chelsea’s 50million pound flop” That “50million” part really hurts!
2. Fans Expectations
When Torres arrived at Liverpool, he was still fresh, not such a big star. When Drogba arrived at Chelsea, he was not a big star, and with the right coaching, dedication and teamwork these two players became World beaters at their respective clubs. When Torres left Liverpool for Chelsea, he was already an accomplished striker, goals were expected to flow by the fans, but they didn’t. The goals haven’t flown to date. It’s the same case with Falcao, he scores so many goals and Chelsea fans will want the same. Should he not score on his debut, they will leave with it. Should he miss a couple of open chances in the next three matches and there will talk of “Torres was better after all”! We need to be careful with this Falcao deal.
And the unwritten rule of love hate relationship suggests that if we loved you so much and you let us down, we will hate you so much!
3. Formation
Chelsea’s preferred formation is 4-2-3-1. Falcao has excelled both at Porto and Atletico Madrid. Porto played 4-3-3, with both Hulk and Varela on the flanks. Please note that the in as much as they may be similar, the 4-2-3-1 formation is different from 4-3-3. At Atletico, the preffered formation is 4-4-2 with Diego Costa partnering Falcao in attack. The question therefore is, will Falcao excel in the 4-2-3-1 formation? Football pundits argue that this formation, which requires one striker upfront mostly suits physical players, as they are able to hold the ball, redirect aerial balls onto the path of midfielders and even from their positions, they can use their bodies to muscle their way into the box. This could explain why Drogba was so successful at Chelsea and in rare occasions where Mourinho would pair him with Crespo, Kezman and later Shevshenko, he would still be the one making headlines and eventually the manager would resort to the “one man” striker formation.
4. La-Liga Verses Premier League
If Messi played in EPL would he score +50goals every season? There was aplayer called Freddie Kanoute who played for Tottenham at one time and then moved to Sevilla in 2006. Prior to Tottenham he played for Westham. Many people still think while in England, Kanoute was just but an average player. However, when he moved to Spain, he started scoring goals and winning titles. To this date, Kanoute remains Sevilla’s highest foreign goal scorer. I will also give you and example of Ruud Van Nestleroy from United as a damaged goods joins Real Madrid and somehow revives his career. Jose Antonio Reyes, Michael Essien, Adebayor average at Manchester City but then a Champions League semifinalist with Madrid. Diego Forlan, Gerald Pique, Jerzy Dudek, useless in EPL but very very influential in Spanish La Liga. Roc Santa Cruz couldn’t get into first team at Manchester City, but he is now scoring goals for Malaga in the Champions League.
Lets now look at reverse examples, Robinho good at Madrid, but terrible at Manchester City, Albert Ferrer good for Barca, not so good at Chelsea. Asier Del Horno, disastrous at Chelsea etcOf course there are a few players in La Liga who have excelled in the EPL. Carzolla, Mata, Silva, Aguerro etc.
Buying Falcao is therefore a gamble. Simply because a player is scoring goals in La Liga doesn’t mean he will score goals in EPL, and at 55 million, that’s a gamble I wouldn’t wish to take.
5. Options
With a crowded midfield that boasts of some of the world’s best creativity and in as much as Chelsea fans wish to see a world class finisher at Chelsea, the same fans do not wish to be associated with another possible flop.
I have said before, that we can easily forgive Demba BA or Victor Moses for missing clear chances. If Torres does the same, then its an issue. Fans clearly remember his cost. The press will keep on reminding you the same and the result is lack of motivation, lack of morale and lack of commitment. We all know class, unlike form is permanent and for a once feared striker on the planet to suddenly plunge into a state of oblivion is something that doesn’t have an easy explanation. Perhaps it’s the price tag, perhaps it’s the press or perhaps its you and me!
(a) Recall Lukaku
In late December, Lukaku had a goal per minute ratio that was similar to that of Robin Van Persie. Now, compare the players behind Van Persie and those behind Lukaku. Picture the same situation, with players like Oscar, Mata and Hazard behind him, he might just be the answer. His physical and would fit automatically into a 4-2-3-1 formation. When we played a gainst Brentford a week ago, I remember mentioning to a guy who was sitted next to me, that Brentford may not be the best team out there but they have a n amazing striker. He was tall, physicall and he caused a few problems down the right flank on a couple of occasions by the way he was holding the ball and waiting for his midfielders to make runs. He was amazing. Too bad I don’t recall his name.
(b) Demba BA and Victor Moses
Demba Ba has a conversation rate of 0.5 goals per game and this applies to all the clubs. He is an accomplished striker. I am not sure how the 4-2-3-1 formation suits him but I have seen him make good runs onto the box and has shown a great eye for goal the few moments he has come on, either as a substitute or starting a match all together. Chelsea fans still haven’t seen the last of him and they have confidence in his abilities (Chelsea fans reaction at Newcastle proves it)
Victor Moses is another option that Chelsea can utilize in attack and while theres still plenty expected of him, his pace, physical strength and versatility are traits admired by many.
(c ) Islam Feruz
Anyone who has watched the youth team, the Scotland under 21 will admit Chelsea have an amazing young star who in my opinion should have been promoted into the first team, to play in the Cup competitions. His speed, positioning and finishing are extra ordinary for his age. Should Chelsea fail to promote this lad into first team, he will probably be sent out on loan and may end up like Borini, Ben Sahar, Di Santo, Bruma and and many other good talents we have gotten rid of before.
Having said that, we will have four strikers who, with proper coaching can become the World’s best. Drogba was not a world beater prior to joining Chelsea. We have learnt our past mistakes, I wish for us not to repeat the same and as such, Atletico Madrid should bring back our Curtois!!
KTBFFH!
