RANCAGUA, CHILE // Radamel Falcao on Saturday dismissed talk of a slump as he insisted his faltering year at Manchester United had made him a more “complete” footballer.
“Falcao was always there,” the new Colombian captain told a news conference when asked about a season on loan in which he scored just four Premier League goals in 29 appearances for Louis van Gaal’s side.
“It depends what criteria you are using,” Falcao said on the eve of Colombia’s opening Copa America match, against Venezuela on Sunday.
“People said I was not on the field and not scoring goals,” he said. “Falcao was always there.
“The speculation is not true. I am calm. Today Falcao is a more complete player.”
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Manchester United have sent Falcao back to Monaco, but British media say he could remain in the Premier League with Chelsea.
Falcao is looking to bounce back from his Manchester blues, and missing last year’s World Cup through injury, by impressing at the Copa America.
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has kept faith with the striker by giving him the captain’s armband after the retirement of the veteran Mario Yepes.
“We must always trust him,” Pekerman said. “He has always overcome difficulties to have success.”
Colombia won the Copa in 2001 and after reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil behind James Rodriguez’s goals believe that success can be theirs again.
“It would be great to repeat the experience of what we did at the World Cup,” Falcao said.
“This team has grown a lot in recent years. It is a team that knows it can win and is the equal of any other side and has no complex against the big countries.”
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