Monaco star Falcao gets Colombia recall

Rejuvenated striker Radamel Falcao was on Friday handed an international recall by Colombia after a year's absence from the squad for two key World Cup qualifiers.

The 30-year-old Monaco star hit two goals in a 3-0 midweek Champions League win over CSKA Moscow to take his total to six in nine games this season.

Falcao, who missed the 2014 World Cup finals through injury, last played for Colombia on October 13, 2015, in a 3-0 loss to Uruguay in Montevideo.

But he has been recalled for the qualifiers against Chile and Argentina on November 10 and 16 respectively.

"Happy to represent my country," the striker tweeted. "It's an opportunity that I will meet with a lot of enthusiasm. It's really special."

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Falcao to spend night in hospital after head clash

For the first time in a long while, things were looking up for Radamel Falcao.

Falcao, who rose to fame at Atletico Madrid, may still miss this Saturday's Ligue 1 clash with Angers but should return to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

It wasn't quite Harald Schumacher on Patrick Battiston in the 1982 World Cup, but there is no doubt that Cardinale came in with some serious force.

Leonardo Jardim, Monaco's manager, confirmed on Thursday that Falcao had remained in hospital where he continues to receive treatment for concussion.

To add insult to genuine injury, per English Ligue 1 journalist Jonathan Johnson, the foul was actually awarded against Falcao.

And Jardim voiced his dismay with the referee's decision not to penalise Cardinale for reckless behaviour, calling for stricter rules for custodians.

Monaco's Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has spent the night in hospital under observation after suffering a heavy blow to his head.

'The referees have to pay closer attention and punish actions like this.

"In most places in Europe that's a red card", said Jardim.

'When a player takes such a risk [to injure an opponent], there has to be some sort of punishment'.

The Monaco striker was caught in a sandwich between goalkeeper Yoann Cardinale and defender Paul Baysse just before half-time in the 4-0 defeat at Nice.

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Radamel Falcao scores the luckiest and most hilarious goal for Monaco in Champions League return

In the video above you can witness Radamel Falcao scoring quite possibly the flukiest goal in football history.

Following two failed loan spells at Manchester United and Chelsea , the Colombian is not only back with Monaco, but he's also back to scoring goals. Must have been something in the English water...

After bagging FIVE in pre-season, the same amount he scored in the Premier League over two years, Falcao also scored in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Although, the manner of the goal is a sight to behold.

"I'm baaaaack."

After the Fenerbahce keeper initially takes the ball away from his feet, the ball somehow pinballs off a defender and back into Falcao's path with nothing but an open goal for him to aim at.

Not even the former Atletico Madrid striker can miss that.

Radamel Falcao undergoes Monaco medical after Man United and Chelsea nightmare

RADAMEL FALCAO looks set to return to Monaco after a nightmare spell in England.

The Colombia striker endured two miserable loan spells - at Manchester United and then Chelsea.

He was linked with a move to newly-promoted Middlesbrough but has posted a picture of himself undergoing a medical at Monaco.

Falcao, 30, signed for the French club in 2013 from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around £50m.

Chelsea transfers: Who's in and who's out at Stamford Bridge this summer?

Who will Antonio Conte keep and who will he sell in his first transfer window in English football.

Antonio Conte will be looking to put his own stamp on the Chelsea squad when he officially takes over this summer.

The Blues made a diabolical defence of their Premier League title last season as they were out of the running before Christmas and facing a relegation battle.

Jose Mourinho paid the price for the club’s terrible form as he was given the boot by Roman Abramovich in December and now looks set to join Manchester United.

Interim boss Guus Hiddink steered the club away from the prospect of dropping into the Championship but Chelsea could only limp towards the finish line.

Having under-performed so badly this term, several Stamford Bridge stars could be following Mourinho out the door while new blood is needed to rejuvenate the team.

It could be the busiest summer transfer window in years with Conte preparing to splash the cash in order to restore the west Londoners to the upper echelons of English football.

Here Matt Lewis of GetWestLondon takes a look at how events could play out at the Bridge in the coming months.

Heading for the exit

Radamel Falcao will leave the Bridge

Hiddink is the first name on the list of departures as the Dutchman steps down as manager to make way for the incoming Conte.

Chelsea’s strike-force requires major surgery and there will be casualties after a shot-shy season in front of goal.

Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao's embarrassing loans will not be renewed after the once great European forces looked shadows of their former selves in west London.

Frenchman Loic Remy is also likely to go and would only remain at the Bridge as a third or fourth choice option under Conte.

Baba Rahman was a big-money summer acquisition from the Bundesliga but failed to live up to his reputation and is wanted by clubs in Turkey.

John Obi Mikel was brought out of the wilderness by Hiddink in the second half of the season but the Nigerian will not accept another stint on the bench.

Nemanja Matic’s body language has indicated his time at Chelsea is coming to an end and could be one of Mourinho’s first signings as United manager.

Who is staying?

John Terry in action for Chelsea

John Terry's contract renewal was arguably the most important signing Chelsea will make this summer.

The emotional scenes as the captain, leader, legend took to the field at the end of term to address the crowd emphasised the incredible bond between Terry and the fans.

Conte gave his seal of approval to the offer for the skipper and will hope Terry can help keep the lines of communication open between the players and the management.

Eden Hazard looked a certainty to quit the club just a few months ago, with Real Madrid eager to snap up 2015’s Player of the Year, but things change quickly in football.

Having returned to fitness, the Belgian finished the season by ending Tottenham’s title dream and now heads to the European Championships in confident mood.

Branislav Ivanovic had been touted as a target for Roma but signed a new one-year contract to commit his immediate future to the club.

Uncertain futures

Could Thibaut Courtois been on his way out of Chelsea?

Thibaut Courtois is very much on Real Madrid’s radar and is another Chelsea player who cannot look back fondly on last season.

Chelsea put their faith in Courtois by allowing Petr Cech to join Arsenal last summer but an injury-hit, below-par campaign was not what they expected from their chosen one.

His failure to distance himself from the Madrid rumours only fuelled the speculation linking him with a return to Spain and angered the Blues faithful.

Courtois played in Madrid on loan at Atletico, where he first came across Diego Costa, and the fiery striker also continues to be targeted by his former club and Chinese sides.

Juventus have sounded out Chelsea over a move for Oscar and also want to keep hold of Juan Cuadrado after the Colombian’s successful loan stint.

Who is coming in?

Will we see Gonzalo Higuain in a royal blue shirt next season?

Conte has a long summer shopping list and has already submitted a list of his preferred options to the board.

The new boss has been given the title of head coach rather than manager and will not have total control over transfers.

He is desperate to sign another striker though to ease the burden on Costa as Chelsea's other three strikers leave the Bridge.

Romelu Lukaku is being considered for a return while Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata are also on the hitlist.

Roma’s tenacious midfielder Radja Nainggolan will replace Matic as the club’s midfield enforcer and is already understood to have agreed a deal in principle.

Conte would also like to raid his former club Juventus for defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci while Greek international Kostas Manolas is another candidate at the back.

The seven biggest mistakes made by José Mourinho at Chelsea

José Mourinho is close to be appointed as new Manchester United boss. The Special One hopes he’s not going to repeat the same mistakes he did while in charge at Chelsea. Here there are his biggest regrets:

JUAN MATA – The Spaniard was acquired by the Blues for € 26 million before Mourinho’s arrival. The Special One regularly preferred Hazard, Oscar and Willian over him, agreeing on his sale to Manchester United for € 44 million. They are going to meet at the Old Trafford again next season.



DAVID LUIZ – Never considered a key player by Mou, David Luiz was sold to PSG for € 50 million in 2014, but no one has ever shown to be good enough to fill the Brazilian defender’s boots at the Stamford Bridge since then.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE – Probably Mourinho’s biggest regret. The Portguese manager did not lose any sleep over the Belgium International’s € 22-million sale to Wolfsburg in 2014, though the Red Devils’ biggest rivals Manchester City acquired De Bruyne one year later for € 74 million. The manager and the player were also not on good terms in South-West London as De Bruyne has recently accused Mourinho of not believing in him during his time at Chelsea.

FILIPE LUIS – He replaced Ashley Cole in 2014 after completing a € 20 million move from Atletico Madrid. Spain International Cesar Azpilicueta was regularly playing instead of the Brazilian defender who moved back to the Calderon last summer. He will start in the Champions League final next Saturday.



MOHAMMED SALAH – The former Basel star could only score two goals in 13 appearances before moving on a loan deal to Fiorentina and AS Roma (on a permanent deal). Mourinho did not confirm the Egypt International despite a very positive six-month loan spell at the Franchi, selling him to the giallorossi in the summer.

RADAMEL FALCAO – Everything went bad for the Colombian striker during his two-year spell in the Premier League. He failed to live up to expectations both with Chelsea and Manchester United also due to a huge number of injuries.

JUAN CUADRADO – Another Colombian player who did not shine under the Special One in London, but who has been proving his talent somewhere else, namely at the J Stadium with Juventus. Antonio Conte will welcome him back at the Stamford Bridge after he played a vital role in helping the Old Lady to win two domestic titles this season.

Chelsea's Radamel Falcao: I need to go to a club where I will play

Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao has set his sights on finding a club that can offer him regular first-team football as his time at Stamford Bridge draws to a close.

The 30-year-old has endured a disappointing loan spell with the Blues since sealing a switch from Monaco last summer, scoring just once in the Premier League this term due to a combination of poor form and injury.

Falcao looks set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season when his loan deal expires, and the Colombia international has admitted he wants to find a club that will allow him to play every week while also revealing he saw a move back to South America fall through in January.

"I wanted to come to River [Plate] in January, but they did not have a foreign player spot open," he told Fox Sports. 

"Right now my priorities are clear, I want to play every weekend because I am feeling good. I need to go somewhere I can play."

Falcao was this week left out of Jose Pekerman's Colombia squad for the centenary edition of the Copa America in the USA this summer.

The striker believes his omission was justified, but admits he wants to represent his nation at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

"Now is not the right time for me to be at the Copa because I am not playing," he said.

"I want to go to the Olympics, but I don't want people to misinterpret that, journalists or anyone. 

"The decision will be made later and I will be the first one to know if I am in or not because I want to be a key part of the team, to contribute and not embarrass myself. 

"If I see I can help and if I am fit and playing all the time it is obviously easier."

Chelsea injury news: Radamel Falcao ready for run-in, Eden Hazard’s hip problem and Diego Costa rested

Regardless of Leicester City’s achievements – phenomenal as they are – the extent of this madcap season could be summed up just as neatly by Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.

West Ham left the pitch angry that their Champions League hopes had been dented by the dubious award of a penalty. While Champions Chelsea celebrated earned plaudits for the fighting spirit that rescued a point. Their sixth draw in seven home matches.

Chelsea have now conceded in their last nine consecutive matches at the Bridge (14 in total). Winning just one of their 12 home matches’ against teams outside the bottom four.

On the upside, John Terry was back in the heart of the defence and Cesc Fabregas looked something like his best. The Spaniards brace of set-piece goals was his first since 2009 and he had more touches than any other player.

With nothing to play for but pride and contracts, Chelsea will need to show this kind of appetite for the remainder of the season.

Striker return

Radamel Falcao has spoken about his injury and his comeback for the final part of the season.

‘It was decided never to make mistakes or rush and to heal completely,’ he said. ‘So I took the time and the necessary steps to recover the muscle 100 per cent. I’m fine, I feel very good and on par with the team.’

‘Physically Falcao has recovered,’ says Guus Hiddink. ‘Now he has to regain his fitness. He may be ready after the international break.’

Costa rested

The absence of Diego Costa from Spain’s upcoming internationals sent the rumour mill into overdrive. National team boss Vicente del Bosque has questioned his striker’s temperament previously and following his first sending off in English football against Everton many believed Costa was being singled out again. However, Del Bosque was quick to explain his omission from the games against Italy and Romania: ‘If Costa was 100% fit he would have been picked.’

Hiddink confirmed Costa has been managing a minor hip and hamstring problem for the past few weeks and the decision had been taken to rest him.

Hip injury forces Hazard out

While Chelsea have been reluctant to put an exact timescale on Eden Hazard’s recovery from a hip tendon strain, Belgium boss Marc Wilmots expects his talismanic playmaker to miss up-to a month:

‘I have told Hazard to have some rest,’ he said. ‘We are not too worried about him. He has a muscle injury. He’ll be out for three to four weeks.’

Radamel Falcao

Injury: Thigh strain

Estimated return date: Imminent. Lacking fitness.

Diego Costa

Injury: Hip Injury.

Estimated return date: After the international break.

Eden Hazard

Injury: Hip Tendon Strain.

Estimated return date: Between 3-4 weeks.

Kenedy

Injury: Head Injury.

Estimated return date: Next game.

Kurt Zouma

Injury: Knee surgery.

Estimated return date: Minimum six months.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Man United? Juan Mata Approves Idea

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata would warmly welcome the chance to play with Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is out of contract at the end of the season and he’s often been linked with a PSG exit this summer. Interest has reportedly been shown from numerous clubs all around the world, including English giants United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. 

According to ESPN FC, the 34-year-old mercurial Swede has suggested he is planning a “surprise” move should he decide to leave Paris when his contract expires next year.

Yes, United desperately need a high powered scorer/addition to the striker position, but let’s also remember that United Manager Louis van Gaal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic don’t get along well at all. Or at least they didn’t.

Of course, many people don’t even think LVG will be in charge once the season is over.

Mata would be excited to team up with Ibra.

“I don’t know what he is going to do, whether he is going to stay there or not,” Mata told Sky Sports. “Maybe he will try a new chapter in his long career.

“He is probably the best in Sweden’s history for what he represents. He has played in so many countries and leagues and won trophies everywhere. That speaks about his quality as a player and his importance for PSG and in the national team where he is a captain.”

United legend Paul Scholes said this past summer that he thinks his former club should sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“Centre-forward is a priority because there doesn’t look like there’s enough goals in the team at the moment, from any position,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“You need more than one [striker]. They’ve got Chicharito and young James Wilson, who is a really good player, but last year he didn’t really take his chance when he had the chance to do it.”

“They have lost two top centre-forwards in [Radamel] Falcao and Robin van Persie. Okay, so Falcao wasn’t great while he was here, but he has been a top centre-forward, so they need something else.”

“I wonder if they could take a chance on Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a year. Maybe he could do something in the Van Persie mould. I don’t care whether he gets on with Van Gaal or not, as long as he scores goals.

Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.

He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram

Hazard: If I have to play up front, why not?

The Belgium international admits he prefers to play on the left wing, but also enjoys leading the line, calling on Guus Hiddink to use him in that role if needed.

Chelsea attacking midfielder Eden Hazard insists he is happy to operate as a striker despite preferring to play on the left.

The 24-year-old started up front in Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Monday, for the third time in a month, with regular striker Diego Costa suspended for the trip to Old Trafford.

Costa has been under fire this season while injuries to Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao have limited the Blues' fire power throughout the season, and Hazard is willing to lead the line in future.

"I prefer to play on the left wing but if I have to play up front, why not?" he told the club's official website. "It just means I need to come a bit deeper to get the ball at my feet but I enjoy it.

"It’s the same, my job is always to try to make the difference. When I play as a striker it’s important for me to get into the box when crosses come in and try to get across to the front post."

Hazard was pleased with his performance against United in a game he feels his side should have won, and is now targeting three points in their clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"It was good," he said of his performance against Loius van  Gaal's side. "I just want to be on the pitch, it doesn’t matter if I’m on the left, right, in the ‘number 10’ or as a striker. 

"When we don’t have a striker I can help the team out. I just try to do my job and against United I think I did my job.

"We were unlucky not to score a goal. The result could have been better but that’s football, a draw at Old Trafford is good. 

TEAM NEWS: Diego Costa & Fabregas return for Chelsea

The Spanish duo have both made Guus Hiddink's starting line-up to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with Pedro and Nemanja Matic the players who drop to the bench.

Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas return to the Chelsea starting XI for Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace, as the Blues looking to continue their recent unbeaten streak.

Guus Hiddink was forced to play without a recognised striker against Manchester United last time out, with Costa suspended and Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao both injured, but a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford meant the club went three games unbeaten since Jose Mourinho was axed.

Costa starts up top at Selhurst Park, with Pedro the man to make way, while Fabregas is restored to the midfield after missing the match against United, with Nemanja Matic dropped.



Unfortunately for Chelsea, Gary Cahill has been unable to shake off an ankle injury and is not even fit enough for a place on the bench, with Kurt Zouma partnering John Terry in the heart of the defence.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are without key man Yohan Cabaye, who is serving a suspension, with James McArthur and Mile Jedinak lining up in midfield, while Fraizer Campbell starts up front ahead of Marouane Chamakh.

LINE-UPS IN FULL:

Crystal Palace: Henessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; McArthur, Jedinak; Zaha, Lee, Puncheon; Campbell. Subs: McCarthy, Kelly, Ledley, Mutch, J. Williams, Sako, Chamakh.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa. Subs: Begovic, Baba, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Ramires, Traore, Pedro.