Tuesday 13 September 2016 10:17, UK
Manchester United and Chelsea have been accused of failing Radamel Falcao by Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.
The Colombian striker, who is preparing to face Tottenham in the Champions League at Wembley on Wednesday, scored just five goals in two years on loan at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.
He has since returned to Monaco, who sit top of Ligue 1 following Saturday's 4-1 win over Lille, but Vasilyev believes it is the English clubs who let down the player, not the other way around.
"Both clubs in England failed to relaunch him," he told the Daily Mail. "I don't know whether Manchester United or Chelsea did not have the patience or the desire to do that but I am quite sure this year we will see Falcao at his previous best.
"He is the same Falcao as ever. We've seen that in pre-season. He scores goals, he's there and he is motivated, we are motivated and I think this will be his year."
Falcao suffered a serious knee injury in 2014 and Vasilyev believes Monaco will reap the rewards of staying patient with the 30-year-old.
"If you sign a player of this magnitude after a big injury it takes time and games to get him back into shape," he added.
"This is what we will do and what Manchester United and Chelsea didn't do, failed to do or didn't want to do. We all see the qualities are there and it is a matter of time. You will see a very different Falcao this season tot he one you saw in England."
