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Andy Gray: Chelsea signing Falcao would be great for Premier League

Sharethematch.com ambassador Andy Gray was talking exclusively to tribalfootball.com…

I'M A Premier League fan and I hate it when we lose big-name players to other countries - so I would love it if Falcao came to Chelsea.

When people like Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas leave the Premier League it's a much worse place for it, so if we can get Falcao in it will make the league much better.

Falcao would suit anybody's style and I think he's tailor made for the Premier League. He's just about six foot, he's powerful, he's pacey, has good control, can head the ball, can run it in the channels, can hold it up.

He's got all the attributes you need to be a proper centre forward. It's not a case of whether he would suit Rafael Benitez's style of play, but whether Chelsea would suit him. It's as simple as that. Chelsea are one of the few clubs who can afford to pay the €60 million buyout clause he has in his contract, alongside Manchester City.

Wherever Falcao goes, if he moves in January, we know it will be to one of only a handful of clubs.

Chelsea of course with their resources will be up their bidding for him and they might well get him. He would a great addition to the league. They way that Chelsea play I think Falcao would play at the expense of Fernando Torres. You wouldn't imagine, unless they changed their system, that they would play together.

But you never know. Maybe if they get him in they'll try and get two up top.

But if they do that they'll have to sacrifice one of their creative players like Eden Hazard, Juan Mata or Oscar.

Chelsea had the disappointment of losing in the Club World Cup final but make no mistake about it, they showed with the team they put out against Leeds in midweek that they mean business in the Capital One Cup.

That was a pretty powerful side and it was a pretty powerful message that they want to win that competition.

They're the strongest team left in it but I wouldn't dismiss Swansea. They've already shown in the Premier League this year what a good side they are.

They're certainly capable over a two-legged semi-final of doing very well. Chelsea cannot just walk in there and assume they're going to win.

They'll need a strong side out because I'm 100 per cent sure Michael Laudrup will be playing his strongest side.

The Dane really does want to take this team to a cup final and it's a wonderful opportunity for him to do that. It's no given but Chelsea will be favourites.

If Chelsea didn't win the Capital One Cup it would be seen as a failure because they're Chelsea. They're the biggest side left.

But they're only one step away from playing in a final again at Wembley. When you get to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of any tournament the boys start to take it seriously.

People like Frank Lampard who's in his last year and Ashley Cole too would love to end their time at the club by getting another Wembley appearance.

There's also the Europa League. Chelsea have been drawn against Sparta Prague and could then face Ajax - but it could be worse for them.

They should be better than Sparta and they should definitely be better than Ajax. I know Ajax frustrated Manchester City in the Champions League but we saw Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid do to Ajax what I think Chelsea are capable of doing to Ajax - and that's beat them comfortably.

I don't think it's a draw that will frighten Chelsea. It's one they'll look at and think they can be confident of getting through.

 
Andy Gray is an official ambassador for Sharethematch.com - Football's Social Network. Available now for FREE online or at the App Store; http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/share-the-match/id450784289?mt=8

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