Chelsea's Radamel Falcao blames lack of game time for struggles

Colombian forward says injury problems are not the reason for his poor form this season

Radamel Falcao has defended his poor form at Chelsea by insisting his struggles are due to lack of playing time rather than injuries.

Falcao has scored just one goal – in a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace – for Chelsea this season since he joined on loan from Monaco. The Colombian endured a similarly difficult loan spell at Manchester United last season, scoring four times in 29 appearances.

The striker had suffered a knee injury before moving to Old Trafford, but told Colombian magazine Semana: “I have recovered from my knee injury. The problem is since then I have not had the chance to play a whole season to get back my confidence and become competitive again.

“If I had had that regular football, you would not be saying this right now.”

Falcao has not featured for Chelsea since coming on as a substitute during the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in October. However, he denied his lay-off is due to fitness concerns despite reports he was suffering from a thigh injury. “I try not to destabilise myself,” Falcao added. “People talk a lot, but they also say positive things and I try to welcome those messages.”