Chelsea Falcao deal now unlikely?

Roman Abramovich really did put all of his eggs in one basket with the £50 million signing of Fernando Torres back in 2010, and Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto di Matteo have all paid the price.Di Matteo was a man exasperated by the end of his tenure as manager, a period on which he backed Torres to come good, but this season he has simply flattered to deceive more than ever before.Colombian striker Falcao, one of the most prolific strikers in world football over the past three seasons, was widely seen as his replacement. Countless reports had linked the forward with a January switch to the Blues, after he shredded their defence with a hat-trick in a 4-1 European Super Cup win in August.
It had even been claimed that Torres would be dispatched to Atletico Madrid as part of a swap deal. That seems unlikely now, as Benitez has been brought in to get the best out of Abramovich's golden goose.
Benitez was the man who brought Torres to England, and oversaw his most successful spell at Liverpool, which convinced Chelsea to shell out such a fee on the striker.
If anybody can get the best out of him, it is Benitez, and Torres must be thrilled with the appointment.
But what does this mean for the Falcao deal? At the moment, it's fair to say it has been put on ice.
Abramovich has in no uncertain terms backed Torres as the club's number one striker, having sacked three managers to make his point.
He will not want to shell out £50 million to sign Falcao just a month and a half after dismissing Di Matteo. Given his loyalty to Torres, it would be truly bizarre. Chelsea's system utilises just the one striker; and Benitez played with just one at Liverpool too, and there won't be space for them both.
Having Falcao competing for a place with Torres will simply put Chelsea back to the same situation they had with Torres and Drogba. This is Torres' and Benitez's team now, and the Colombian would upset that - Even if Chelsea fans would rather see Falcao up top.
Had Di Matteo stayed, the deal would have looked more likely, but it probably won't happen until next summer at the earliest. Falcao will prefer not to move mid-season, Atletico Madrid are having a very good year so far and he will want to see it through.
Like Benitez, Torres will likely be given until the end of the season to prove his worth. If he can't do that, then he could end up getting the boot next summer, and Rafa may find his contract isn't renewed either.
Who knows, in June there could be two new arrivals through the door, Guardiola and Falcao? But in January... Don't expect the Colombian to be incoming.
Do you agree Chelsea are unlikely to sign Falcao in January, or do you think it could still happen? pls comment