Radamel Falcao scored two more goals today, leading Atlético Madrid to a 4-2 win at Real Betis. The Colombian international’s up to seven goals in five Liga matches this season. Counting international duty and the UEFA Super Cup, Falcao has 12 goals in his last seven games: Messi-esque numbers.
Since moving from River Plate to Porto just over three years ago, Falcao has 70 goals in 89 games, having spent two years in Portugal before moving to Spain. With his success in Madrid (and his hot start to this season), rumors have linked the 26-year-old with a move up, with Chelsea perpetually in the mix.
The speculation, the numbers – the actual play in games – it’s all enough to have me wondering: Is Falcao the best center forward in the world?
The term center forward is a cumbersome one (most position descriptions are). What we’re going for here is somebody who leads the attack, playing at its highest level. We’re not talking about a Lionel Messi or a Cristiano Ronaldo. We’re talking about the forwards who play in front of them, along the defense. Some may be best dropping back to pick up the ball, others may make their money playing against the shoulder of the last defender. Regardless, they’re the men that give central defenders nightmares.
Three years ago, this debate would have centered around Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and David Villa, with Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres perhaps getting a shout. Today, there are three who have a claim to this title:
Radamel Falcao – The best finisher of the group, he also has the best instincts within the penalty area. Fast, strong, great in the air, the only thing he lacks that the other candidates have is versatility, which may be more of a function of what he’s been used than what he can do. With numbers like those, why would you ask him to do anything else?
Edinson Cavani – Cavani isn’t as good a finisher as Falcao, and he may not have the Colombian’s penalty area instincts, but he can be just as good in the air, and when he lacks in other areas he make up for with his industry. The Uruguayan is capable of playing a more all-around game than Falcao, his effort allowing him to have an impact across the width of the pitch (and often, down its length). Since moving to Napoli two years ago, Cavani has 54 Serie A goals in 75 games.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Falcao and Cavani can define games by themselves. Ibrahimovic can also control them. He is the best playmaker of this group, having spent the last two years under Massimiliano Allegri playing as a trequartista at Milan. Of anybody on this list, he needs the least help winning games for you, allowing Inter and Milan to unabashedly ride him to titles. After scoring 28 times for Milan last season, Ibrahimovic has seven goals in his first five games for Paris Saint-Germain.
Perhaps Robin van Persie should also be mentioned, but as I tried to type out the argument for RvP, I realized he just isn’t in the same group as this trio.
Perhaps you disagree? Or have somebody else in mind? Have at it, below.
