Radamel Falcao lacking sharpness as Chelsea striker draws pre-season blank again

RADAMEL FALCAO drew another blank as Chelsea's stuttering pre season suffered another setback last night following a 1-0 defeat to Fiorentina

And Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could be facing a major striking headache, with leading scorer and main front man Diego Costa ruled out of the first Premier League game of the season against Swansea on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

Falcao, 29, was brought in on a season long loan from Monaco as back-up for Costa, who has been suffering from recurring hamstring problems, which Mourinho admits are a worry.

But the former Atletico Madrid star, who scored only four goals in 29 appearances while on loan at Manchester United last season, still looks woefully lacking in sharpness.

He has not scored yet for his new club in four pre-season appearances.

Radamel Falcao failed to register again in Chelsea colours

Fiorentina grabbed the only goal of the game against a less than half-strength starting Chelsea side, when new goalkeeper Asmir Begovic could not hold Marcos Alonsos shot, and Gonzalo Rodriguez tapped in the rebound.

The Italians could have taken the lead earlier, but Begovic produced a fine save from Matias Fernandez shot and then Matias Vecinos rocket drive struck the bar.

Chelsea struggled to create chances, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek had a shot saved.

Falcao lasted only 56 minutes without having an effort on target, as Mourinho then threw on his big guns with nine substitutions in the second half.

Mourinho, who is chasing two defenders in Everton centre-back John Stones and Augsberg full-back Baba Rahman, whose £18m deal is expected to be completed in the next 48 hours, has said he is happy with his strikers.

But it looks likely that Loic Remy, the only fit and relatively in-form striker in his squad, will be the man to lead the line against the Swans at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season.