5 Players Colombia Will Look to in Place of Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao is recovering from the knee surgery he underwent last month. FIFA.com reported that the Colombia international may make it to Brazil 2014; however, his team must take a look at possible replacements.
Falcao scored nine goals for "Los Cafeteros" during the World Cup and seemed en route to having a fantastic performance in the tournament.
His recent form with Monaco, plus his accuracy, strength and physicality, set him as one of the players to follow in world football.
Whether he can successfully recover or not, coach Jose Pekerman needs to find a player who can take over Colombia’s attacking zone.
Carlos Bacca
Carlos Bacca arrived in Sevilla this season and has made a good impression. He has played 32 times and has scored in 14 of them.
He caught attention while playing for Belgian Club Brugge, where he became the top scorer and best player of the 2012-13 season.
Although he has only been capped eight times with Colombia, he has what it takes to become a starter.
Like most of the Colombian strikers, Bacca is also fast and strong, but the two skills that are his signature are his fine touch and accuracy, either from outside or inside the box.
He can put the ball away easily thanks to his well-educated right foot.
Victor Ibarbo
Victor Ibarbo plays for Serie A club Cagliari. At age 23, he has appeared six times with Colombia’s senior team.
Pekerman capped him for the first time in three years on November 2013 for a friendly against Belgium; he did not disappoint.
He scored Los Cafeteros' second goal in style. He put the ball away with a perfect volley after a set piece
His speed and dribbling skills make of him one of the most elusive Colombian footballers right now.
Perhaps one of his most valuable assets is that he can create plays rather than just finishing them.
Fredy Montero
Pekerman has not taken Fredy Montero into consideration, but with Falcao out, the Sporting striker may have a shot.
Montero is the second-best striker in the Primeira Liga, just one goal behind his fellow countryman Jackson Martinez.
After a four-year absence with Los Cafeteros, Montero needs to work hard toward his goal of returning to the national team, and he is making a huge effort.
He is a superb player inside the box and knows how to work in tight spaces with two or three defenders next to him.
His acceleration combined with his dribbling skills set him as a dangerous threat for the rivals.
Adrian Ramos
Currently playing for Hertha BSC, Adrian Ramos tops the Bundesliga scorers’ table, along with Robert Lewandowski, with 14 goals to his name.
This is his first season in Germany’s first division, and he is proving to be ready to have an active role with Colombia national team.
Ramos takes advantage of his height (6’1’’) and becomes a beast in the aerial game. From crosses to set pieces, he knows when is the right moment to leave the defenders behind and make his move.
He is no stranger to using his feet. He is right-footed and tends to surprise the goalkeepers with his speed and dribbling.
Jackson Martinez
The obvious choice should be Martinez. The Porto footballer has proved to be one of the deadliest strikers in Europe.
He spent eight years with Latin American clubs Independiente Medellin and Chiapas, before heading to Portugal.
Martinez has an amazing stride that combined with his strength and speed give him quite an advantage over the defenders.
He is also a good aerial player and can solve a set piece or cross with a header.
He has scored 52 times in 71 appearances with the Dragons. Last season, he was Primeira Liga's top scorer.