Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has urged Roberto Di Matteo to cut his losses with Fernando Torres and replace him with Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

Falcao is now worshipped by the same fans who once idolised Torres as he has helped Atletico become a force both domestically and in Europe; firing the side to Europa League glory last season.

Radamel Falcao
Falcao has been in sensational form scoring 13 goals in 10 games this season [Reuters]

Since deciding to leave Portuguese champions Porto for Atletico, Falcao has been insensational goal scoring form, firing some 49 goals in just 60 appearances for the Spanish side.

This season he has averaged more than a goal a game with 13 in 10 as Ateltico have enjoyed a superb start to the campaign, currently sitting in second place, five points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid.

While Falcao has been earning praise around Europe for his goalscoring exploits, Torres has endured a nightmare spell at Chelsea as, despite winning the Champions League, he has scored just 19 goals in 85 appearances for the club.

Torres has been handed plenty of opportunities to prove he can still cut it at the very top, however, Gullit believes that it is time that Chelsea allow him to leave Stamford Bridge.

"If he can't still do it at Chelsea, then they are going to have to look somewhere else. I think Falcao is a very good striker," Gullit is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

"I said at the beginning of the season that Chelsea might need another striker but obviously they wanted to give Torres a chance. If he has taken it, I don't know."

Fernando Torres
Torres has struggled with his form since joining Chelsea [Reuters]

Torres became the most expensive player in British transfer history when he moved from Liverpool for £50million, but he has struggled to replicate the form which saw him become one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

It has been near impossible to explain this loss of form and Gullit admits that he cannot put a finger on why it has not worked out for the Spain international.

"What he did in the past with Atletico, and Liverpool especially, was unbelievable," added Gullit. "For some reason he can't do it at Chelsea, it's a mystery to me."

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