Misfiring Falcao and five other forward flops to have fallen from grace

Football fans must cast their minds back all the way to early 2014 to remember when once formidable forward Radamel Falcao struck fear into defences across the continent.

The hitman was a celebrated goal hero for former clubs Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Porto, as well as for country Colombia, before a cruciate knee injury and operation put paid to his potency. Now a figure of fun, Falcao cuts a frustrated figure far from the previously fearsome player lauded for his lethal instincts.

Currently toiling at Chelsea, who are 7/1 with Coral to win the Premier League, Falcao embarrassingly skied several golden opportunities as he was handed a first start in blue last time out, earning cheers and jeers from minnows Walsall’s home support.

So, after the formerly prolific poacher’s poor display, Coral experts put our heads together to come up with five other once fantastic forwards who have similarly fallen so suddenly from grace…

Once the wonderboy of England, Owen’s career path took a dramatic plunge after the attacker left boyhood club Liverpool, for whom he had heroically hit 158 in 297 appearances.

An ill-advised switch to Spain, where he fell out of favour with giants Real Madrid, began the downward curve. Owen’s subsequent transfer to Newcastle United turned sour, as the striker’s stint at St James’ Park was plagued by injuries.

Having eventually exited Tyneside on a Bosman, Englishman Owen slunk off into the sunset following poor returns for Manchester United (6/1 to lift the Premier League) and Stoke City, scoring just once in nine for the latter, to become an arguably unpopular pundit.