Summer Chelsea signing Radamel Falcao has praised his new Blues team-mates for their warm welcome following a season-to-forget with Manchester United.
The striker endured a torrid spell at Old Trafford, scoring just four goals in 26 Premier League appearances, but rather than turn his back on England’s top flight, he has opted to silence his critics by staying put.
This time he’s out to impress at Stamford Bridge, and appears to be settling into life with his new club well.
“The atmosphere in the squad here is very good, they are very friendly with me and everybody gave me a big welcome,” Falcao told Chelseafc.com.
“It helped to go away on tour with my new team-mates and since we returned to London we haven’t had a lot of free days, but some players have been helping me to get to know the city and helping me to look at houses so I am grateful to them for their help.”
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With experience in Primeira Liga, La Liga and Ligue 1, Falcao also confirmed what many supporters are led to believe – that the Premier League is the most physically demanding top flight in Europe.
“It’s a lot more physical here than anywhere else in Europe,” he added. “Maybe the football philosophy is a little different here in that it is always about getting the ball forward, and there is less time when teams are just trying to control the ball and take the heat out of the game.
“Once you get to know your team-mates, you all know when it is the right time to put your foot on the ball and take the heat out of the game, and when it is the right time to go forward, all out.
“It’s a very, very competitive league where each team gives absolutely everything they’ve got in every game they play,” he continued.
“It demands 100 per cent of your ability and focus because it is very competitive, very physical and tactical too. One particular positive is that the atmosphere in every ground here is fantastic.”
Before his move to west London was confirmed, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho voiced his desire to help Falcao return to top form, and revealed his ‘hurt’ at the criticism he suffered in Manchester [Express].
With Diego Costa’s fitness remaining a significant concern, Mourinho may have to turn to the former Atletico Madrid hit-man more than may have been expected in their title-defending campaign.