Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2

PAIR OF ACES ... Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo cross paths

IT will be remembered as El Clasico when Lionel Messi squared up to Cristiano Ronaldo — and football was the winner.

Messi’s double and Ronaldo’s brace will have this country talking for weeks to come. 

Barcelona could and should have won it at the death but, in a way, they did — as they are still eight points clear of Jose Mourinho’s Real side. 

So, just this once, let us forget the diving of Mourinho’s lieutenant Pepe and that second-half tumble from the otherwise brilliant Mesut Ozil, along with some nasty tackles and the odd iffy refereeing call. 

For this was a night to savour — the world’s top two footballers going at it hammer and tongs in front of an estimated TV audience of 200million. 

Mourinho said: “It should be banned to talk about who is the best in the world. 

HEAD TO HEAD ... Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova greets Jose Mourinho

 

“Those two are on a different planet. I’d like to see mine win World Player of the Year because he was the winner of the most important league in the world.” 

The huge red and yellow mosaic from over 90,000 Barca fans, forming a giant national flag, proclaimed their Catalan allegiance at the start. 

In fact the cry for independence went up on 18 minutes — harking back to the moment in 1714 when the siege of Barcelona ended as the Catalan capital fell to what became the Spanish crown. 

OPENER ... Cristiano Ronaldo strikes the first goal of the match

 

By then busy bee Ronaldo had crossed for Real striker Karim Benzema, who miscued a glorious chance. Sergio Ramos then headed Ozil’s corner wide. 

It was no surprise Ronaldo put Madrid ahead on 22 minutes. Benzema turned Javier Mascherano and set up Ronaldo, whose left-footer beat Victor Valdes. 

Seconds later, another lovely move carved up Barca but Benzema stumbled and knocked Sami Khedira’s pass against a post before Angel Di Maria missed with the follow-up. 

CHEEKY ... Ronaldo gestures after his goal

 

On the half hour, Barca’s Pedro crossed, Pepe failed to clear and it fell to Messi six yards out.
No prizes for guessing that the world’s best player levelled. 

We learnt two things yesterday. One, how important Gerard Pique is, not just in Barca’s defence but also in their build-up. Two, how the balance of power has shifted to the middle ground. 

ALL SQUARE ... Lionel Messi pulls Barcelona level

 

Mourinho should thank his lucky stars Barca had to line up without their centre-halves Pique and Carles Puyol. They also lost right-back Dani Alves midway through the first half to a thigh strain. 

Just after the restart, Messi went on a 50-yard run but Alvaro Arbeloa snuffed out his pass to Cesc Fabregas, who was ready to tap home. 

Andres Iniesta went down in the box under Pepe’s challenge but ref Carlos Delgado Ferreiro gave a corner. On the hour, Messi produced a moment that will live long in the memory. 

PACKING A PUNCH ... Lionel Messi celebrates

 

The Argentina hero swung in a 28-yard free-kick and the ball seemed to stop in mid-air before swerving into the top corner. 

A classic for El Clasico and Messi is now just one goal behind Madrid legend and honorary president Alfredo Di Stefano, who is the all-time top scorer in this deadly duel with 18 goals. 

If the next Ballon D’Or has been decided, no one has told Ronaldo — who ended up going to hospital last night to check on a shoulder injury. 

CURLY WORLDY ... Lionel Messi's free-kick beats the Real wall

 

The Portugal star desperately wants to reclaim the crown he won whilst at United in 2009.
And, six minutes later, he showed why it should be him when he picked up Ozil’s pass and slotted past Valdes. 

The Nou Camp still rose as one to acclaim their team but they might as well have done it for both of these giants. 

Messi and Ronaldo that is. 

FLOORED .. Iker Casillas is left stunned by Messi's goal

 

JOY ... Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal

 

HOLD UP ... Ronaldo levels to make it 2-2

Ney way for Oscar

FAMOUS NEYM ... Santos star Neymar

BRAZIL superstar Neymar says Oscar has pleaded with him to join Chelsea.

The Santos ace, 20, has been tipped to join Spanish giants Barcelona or Real Madrid next season. 

But after playing with Chelsea new boy Oscar at London 2012, Neymar says his mate is desperate for him to ignore Barca’s Dani Alves and move to Stamford Bridge. 

Neymar said: “Oscar messages me to tell me what a great club Chelsea is and what a great city London is. 

“He and Dani are both very good salesmen for their clubs. 

“When the time is right I will listen to the right offers that my agent has for me. 

“It is very simple — if Barcelona are interested you listen, if Real Madrid are interested you listen, if Chelsea are interested you listen. 

“There are maybe five clubs in the world that you know you must at least listen to.”

Ketaksuban wanita cantik bak boneka

RAMBUTNYA panjang mengurai dan berwarna merah terang. Sepasang matanya tampak besar hasil teknik solekan yang menggunakan penggaris mata hitam manakala anak matanya bundar dengan kanta lekap warna ungu. Rias wajahnya tidak ubah seperti watak animasi Jepun apatah lagi memiliki badan langsing dan pinggang ramping.

Sekali pandang pasti ramai menyangka gadis bernama Anastasiya Shpagina, 19, mahu menyertai Cosplay iaitu festival kostum yang diadaptasi daripada komik manga, animasi TV atau permainan video. Festival itu sememangnya popular di Jepun.

Hakikatnya, itulah rupa dan penampilan terkini Anastasiya. Disebabkan terlalu meminati koleksi filem animasi Jepun atau anime, Anastasiya sanggup menjalani pembedahan plastik pada mata dan mengurangkan berat badannya sehingga 38 kilogram (kg). 

Bagi mengekalkan pesona watak anime pada dirinya, Anastasiya dengan ketinggian 157 sentimeter sanggup menjalani rejim diet yang ketat dan meluangkan masa kira-kira sejam untuk merias wajah.

Penampilannya bak anime Jepun telah mencetuskan fenomena baharu di Ukraine walaupun ia bukanlah situasi pertama di negara tersebut. Namanya mula meniti dalam kalangan masyarakat tempatan dan turut menjadi bualan golongan remaja di Jepun sehingga peminatnya di Negara Matahari terbit menggelarnya dengan nama Jepun, Fukkacumi.

Namun perubahan sosok tubuh dan wajah Anastasiya mencetuskan perdebatan dalam blog dan laman sosial. Menerusi portal doubtfulnews.com, seorang pengguna yang bernama Molly menyifatkan semua wanita berhak untuk cantik dan kelihatan anggun seperti selebriti tetapi jangan sampai memudaratkan diri.

"Saya fikir tindakan Anastasiya berpenampilan bak anime Jepun membahayakan kesihatan terutamanya berat badannya tinggal 38 kilogram dan ukuran pinggangnya yang terlalu kecil tidak sesuai dengan tubuhnya.

"Bagi mendapatkan bentuk pinggang sebegitu dia terpaksa berdiet dan memakai bengkung yang ketat dalam tempoh yang panjang. Sebagai remaja, saya fikir Anastasiya tidak wajar menyiksa diri dengan memakai bengkung kerana ia boleh menjejaskan abdomennya," komen Molly.

Selain Anastasiya, kebanyakan wanita di negara itu sentiasa mendambakan wajah dan tubuh badan yang menawan.

SELAIN menyanyi dan menulis lagu Valeria (kanan) turut mengendalikan seminar kerohanian yang membantu anak-anak memahami diri sendiri.

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Mereka akan bersaing sesama sendiri dan sanggup membelanjakan sejumlah wang yang banyak terutamanya dalam proses pembedahan plastik. Sehubungan itu, majalah kembara, Traveler Digest pernah menyenaraikan Ukraine dan Rusia lima negara yang memiliki wanita cantik dan anggun.

Jika Anastasiya popular dengan panggilan anime bernyawa, Valeria Lukyanova, 26, pula digelar anak patung Barbie hidup. Rupa dan bentuk badannya salin tak tumpah seperti boneka keluaran Mattel tersebut.

Gadis setinggi 171 sentimeter (sm) itu memiliki rambut perang panjang mengurai paras pinggang, sepasang kaki yang panjang, buah dada yang menonjol dan mempunyai pinggang ramping.

Muncul dengan penampilan sedemikian telah menyebabkan nama Valeria yang turut mempunyai sepasang mata kosong seperti Barbie popular di media cetak dan media elektronik. Dia kerap diundang ke program bual bicara yang mengupas topik pembedahan plastik dan obses cantik bak boneka. Ini termasuklah menjadi bualan hangat dalam laman sosial, blog dan forum.

Menafikan

Ramai pihak yang mengkritik tindakan Valeria yang dianggap keterlaluan dan bodoh kerana untuk kelihatan cantik seperti Barbie memerlukannya menjalani pembedahan plastik secara holistik.

Pada masa yang sama, kebanyakan pakar pembedahan plastik menganggarkan sekurang-kurangnya Valeria telah menghabiskan wang sebanyak AS$100,000 (RM305,100) bagi mendapatkan hasil yang diingini.

Namun graduan jurusan arkitek dan binaan dari Odessa State Academy, Ukraine itu menafikan sekeras-kerasnya bahawa dia melakukan pembedahan plastik yang melampau.

"Saya kesal apabila orang ramai asyik mempertikaikan penampilan saya. Mereka kerap bertanyakan kos dan keadaan saya selepas menjalani pembedahan plastik sedangkan kecantikan yang dimiliki ini ialah semula jadi.

RUPA paras dan bentuk fizikal Valeria saling tak tumpah seperti anak patung Barbie.

"Saya tidak melakukan sebarang pembedahan plastik sebaliknya menjalani gaya hidup yang sihat, tidak merokok, tidak mengambil alkohol dan menikmati makanan yang seimbang. Kesungguhan saya untuk cantik sangat tinggi dan saya seorang yang berdisiplin," ujar gadis yang memiliki anak mata berwarna kelabu. 

Bagaimanapun, untuk meniru seperti Barbie dia memakai kanta lekap rona biru dan bersolek selama sejam.

Sama seperti wanita lain, Valeria juga sibuk dengan karier dan tugasan harian. Selain menyanyi, dia juga aktif menulis lagu berunsurkan kerohanian.

Surgeri plastik 

"Setakat ini saya sudah menulis 70 buah lagu dan akan tampil dengan album pertama tidak lama lagi. Saya memiliki vokal yang besar dan boleh menyanyi soprano," ujar Valeria yang gemar menyarungkan pakaian seksi.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai isu pembedahan plastik yang semakin berleluasa pada hari ini, Dr. David Mosier yang merupakan ahli Persatuan Pembedahan Plastik Amerika (ASPS) menyatakan proses tersebut menjadi pilihan golongan wanita berbanding lelaki.

Tertekan dek sikap masyarakat yang lebih meminati dan menghargai individu yang cantik telah menyebabkan 80 peratus golongan wanita muda bertekad menjalani pembedahan plastik.

"Mereka menyifatkan keyakinan diri akan wujud apabila memiliki fizikal menawan. Atas faktor itu mereka sanggup berbelanja tinggi semata-mata untuk mengubah wajah dan bentuk badan agar tampil sempurna. Lazimnya golongan ini obses meniru kecantikan selebriti dan boneka.

"Fenomena ini mempamerkan bahawa pembedahan kosmetik membantu orang ramai berasa yakin di khalayak.

Padahal ia bukanlah pilihan terbaik bagi jangka masa panjang. Ini disebabkan hari demi hari mereka akan ketagih untuk melakukan lebih banyak pembedahan apabila teruja melihat hasil kecantikan pada fasa pertama," jelas Mosier yang turut menjelaskan tentang risiko dan kesan sampingan akibat pembedahan plastik.

Berdasarkan data yang dikeluarkan oleh ASPS pada tahun 2007, satu pertiga daripada pesakit yang melakukan pembedahan plastik menderita komplikasi yang sukar diubati. Selain jangkitan, parut kekal dan pendarahan serius ada kemungkinan mereka berhadapan dengan kematian.

Menurut Mosier, salah seorang pesakitnya Lorraine Batt, 36, mati semasa menjalani pembedahan plastik abdominoplasti iaitu prosedur mengepil kulit perut berlebihan.

"Jika komplikasi kecil pakar mungkin dapat memberikan rawatan sewajarnya, namun apa yang membimbangkan jika pesakit mengalami jangkitan serius yang boleh membawa maut.

"Antaranya pesakit mungkin berhadapan dengan penyakit kulit dan risiko penyakit jantung serta jangkitan pada otak jika menggunakan ubat bius melebihi had," tegas Presiden ASPS, Dr. Malcom Roth yang menentang tindakan Valeria Lukyanova yang mengubah wajah dan bentuk badan persis boneka Barbie. Dia menyifatkan pembedahan plastik secara drastik membantutkan tumbesaran dan kematangan seseorang.

Ronaldo wira Real

RONALDO tampil cemerlang untuk membantu Real membelasah Ajax 4-1 awal pagi semalam.

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AMSTERDAM - Cristiano Ronaldo meledakkan hatrik untuk membantu Real Madrid membelasah Ajax Amsterdam 4-1 pada aksi kedua Kumpulan D kempen Liga Juara-Juara awal pagi semalam.

Kemenangan di Arena Amsterdam itu turut melebarkan rekod kemenangan pasukan gergasi Liga Sepanyol itu selepas skuad kendalian José Mourinho menewas- kan Manchester City 3-2 pada aksi pertama dua minggu lalu.

Satu lagi jaringan Real diperoleh mene- rusi Karim Benzema manakala Niklas Moisander menyumbat gol tunggal Ajax. 

Mourinho berkata, kejayaan yang ditempa anak-anak buahnya itu mengukuhkan lagi perancangan pasukan untuk mencapai objektif utama, sekali gus menaikkan keyakinan para pemain. 

"Real sudah kembali. Ini merupakan pencapaian cemerlang kami musim ini. Kami memenangi tiga atau empat perla- wanan secara berturut-turut.

"Kami perlu meneruskannya. kami tidak akan menang kesemua perlawanan tetapi apabila kualiti seseorang pemain mampu diterjemahkan dalam bentuk keputusan, ia sesuatu yang normal," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, jurulatih Ajax, Frank de Noer berkata: "Pemain boleh memberi penghormatan (untuk Real) tetapi kita perlu mengekalkan corak tersendiri. Apa yang saya lihat, kami terlalu menghormati mereka."

Jumlah jaringan mungkin terlalu besar, namun prestasi yang dipamerkan Kenneth Vermeer ketika mempertahankan ga- wang Ajax harus diberi pujian.

Beraksi di hadapan 50,000 penonton, Real lebih pantas menguasai perlawanan, sekali gus meraih sepakan sudut seawal minit ke-10, namun mereka gagal menyem- purnakan setiap peluang yang diperoleh. - AFP

Thu jadi jutawan kerana eksport rambut manusia ke luar negara

DUA wanita bekerja di sebuah bengkel yang mengumpulkan rambut manusia di Kampung Binh An pada 15 Jun lalu. - AFP

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BINH AN, Vietnam - Seorang penduduk kampung di sini, Do Van Thu menjadi kaya selepas dia menjual rambut manusia.

Thu menjadi jutawan dalam tempoh 13 tahun selepas dia memulakan perniagaan menjual rambut manusia sehingga dieksport ke luar negara.

"Pada setiap tahun, keluarga saya mengeksport 50 tan hingga 60 tan rambut ke China.

"Kami membeli rambut di seluruh Vietnam termasuk dari Laos dan Kemboja," katanya yang berusia 50 tahun.

Permintaan untuk mendapatkan rambut itu telah meningkat sejak sepuluh tahun lalu terutamanya daripada golongan wanita muda.

Thu mempunyai sebuah bengkel yang digunakan untuk membersih dan mengumpulkan rambut itu di sini sekali gus memberi peluang pekerjaan kepada penduduk kampung.

"Setiap pekerja saya memperoleh pendapatan AS$140 (RM427) sebulan," katanya.

Jumlah itu tiga kali ganda daripada purata pendapatan penduduk luar bandar di negara ini.
Menurut seorang penduduk kampung ini, Nguyen Van Tam, harga rambut itu adalah antara AS$45 (RM137) hingga AS$250 (RM763) bagi setiap satu kilogram.

Menurutnya, harga tersebut adalah bergantung kepada kualiti rambut. - AFP

Spesies baharu dinosaur diberi nama

REUTERS GAMBAR menunjukkan bentuk kepala spesies baharu dinosaur yang diberi nama Pegomastax africanus.

WASHINGTON - Seorang pengkaji haiwan purba, Paul Sereno mengenal pasti identiti satu spesies baharu dinosaur yang mempunyai badan seperti landak. 

Sereno membuat kajian tentang identiti dinosaur yang mempunyai gigi taring dan paruh seperti burung kakak tua itu selepas melihat spesimen haiwan berkenaan pada 1983 di Universiti Harvard, Amerika Syarikat.

Spesimen haiwan itu ditemui pada serpihan seketul batu di Afrika Selatan pada 1960-an.

Dia memberi nama dinosaur itu Pegomastax africanus yang bermaksud rahang tebal dari Afrika dan ia hidup antara 100 juta hingga 200 juta tahun lalu.

"Saya menggambarkan dinosaur itu sebagai seekor burung, puntianak dan landak," katanya yang merupakan pakar dinosaur di Universiti Chicago.

Penemuan tersebut dilaporkan kelmarin dalam jurnal ZooKeys di internet.

Panjang dinosaur itu kurang 61 sentimeter (sm) dan ia memakan tumbuh-tumbuhan.

Sereno berkata, dinosaur itu mempunyai berat seperti seekor kucing yang dipelihara di rumah manakala ketinggian haiwan tersebut kurang 30sm. - Agensi

JT’s £800k legal bill

GUILTY ... John Terry at Wembley yesterday

JOHN TERRY faces a mega £800,000 bill over the Anton Ferdinand race row.

And Chelsea will not pay a penny of it.

JT was “disappointed” after the FA yesterday found him guilty of racially abusing the QPR defender.

He copped a four-game ban and an FA record £220,000 fine.

But that is only a fraction of the sum Chelsea’s captain spent fighting his case.

Terry, 31, has run up legal fees estimated at £750,000 battling his criminal and FA charges.
He hopes to recoup around £400,000 from the court case, where he was found not guilty.

But the ex-England skipper is now liable to pay the costs of the FA hearing, too, said to be at least £200,000.
That brings his total bill to a whopping £770,000.

But if Terry decides to continue his fight and appeal against the FA’s punishment, his legal bill will rise even further.
A statement issued on his behalf said: “Mr Terry is disappointed that the FA commission has reached a different conclusion to the clear not guilty verdict of a court of law.

“He has asked for the detailed written reasons of the decision and will consider them carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.”

Terry has 14 days from receiving the FA commission’s written report to decide what to do next.
His fine and ban will be suspended until any appeal is heard, the 14 days expire or Terry announces he will not appeal.

But if the Blues defender does appeal and loses, the FA’s punishment could be increased.
Terry announced on Sunday he was quitting international football, claiming the FA had made his position in the England team untenable by continuing to persue the charge against him.

Westminster Magistrates cleared him in July of racially abusing Ferdinand, 27, after Chelsea’s Premier League clash at QPR last October.

Terry admitted in court using obscene words towards Ferdinand — but not as a racist insult.
A club statement last night said: “Chelsea Football Club notes and respects today’s decision.

“We also recognise that John has the right to appeal that decision.

“It is therefore inappropriate for us to comment further on the matter at this time.”

Stunning images of hated wasps sure are the bee’s knees...

Buzz-t side ... even the unloved wasp looks pretty in this picture

Caters News Agency

 

 

THEY might be one of the world's most hated insects but as these images show even wasps can look good — with the right lighting.

These remarkable pictures show them in a completely different way, revealing a more tranquil and beautiful side.
Photographer Irina Kozorog enticed the insects using sweet foods such as raspberries to lure them into her shots.
And the 35-year-old, from Moscow, got stung three times as she waited for the wasps to come for her treats. 

The mum of two admitted she did not like wasps before taking the pictures and said: “I usually prefer to photograph ants but this year I decided to try and make friends with the wasps too. 

“The wasps are actually much smarter than I thought they were. 

Winging it ... insects flies into shot

Caters News Agency 

 

“I had to wait up to half an hour each time for one to come over but it was well worth the wait. 

“As with all other animals, wasps like you to talk to them. They like a calm voice and don’t like quick movements. 

“Their behaviour seemed to depend on the weather. The better the weather, the friendlier the wasps were. 

“While I was taking these pictures I was stung three times but it was always my fault. They would never sting without a reason. 

“I just kept in mind that I was on their territory and I was a guest there.” 

Close-up ... snapper got full-on shots of wasps

Caters News Agency

Chelsea 6 Wolves 0

JOHN TERRY found some welcome relief from his troubles as he provided the biggest shock of the night.

Just hours after another tortuous grilling from the FA’s disciplinary commission, the former England skipper was a surprise selection to lead Chelsea out against Wolves. 

Terry had only left the Wembley hearing into his alleged racist abuse of Anton Ferdinand in the early afternoon following five hours of questioning and legal wrangling. 

And no one had expected the 31-year-old defender to be on duty after such a draining battle to save his reputation.
But the football pitch is Terry’s only safe haven right now and with a potential lengthy ban looming he clearly wants to take full advantage of every opportunity to play. 

He will be back at Wembley today as his lawyers continue to plead his innocence but the Stamford Bridge supporters have already delivered their verdict on the man they call captain, leader, legend. 

“One England captain,” they chanted as soon as their hero appeared and Terry acknowledged their support with an appreciative gesture. 

As a contest, this one was as easy as Terry could ever have dared to hope for as Chelsea put the tie to bed while barely breaking sweat. 

They were ahead after just four minutes and never took their foot off the gas as poor Wolves were simply crushed in this Capital One Cup tie. 

It all started with Ronald Zubar’s foul on Victor Moses which allowed Juan Mata to send over a free-kick for an emphatic back post header by Gary Cahill. 

And with the visitors still trying to sort themselves out at the back, Chelsea doubled their lead inside eight minutes when keeper Dorus de Vries failed to hold Oriol Romeu’s low shot and Ryan Bertrand pounced on Lucas Piazon’s pull-back. 

It was shaping up to be a long night for Wolves boss Stale Solbakken, who had made 10 changes to the team which had won at 2-0 Peterborough at the weekend. 

The last time he had faced Chelsea was two years ago in the Champions League when he was boss of FC Copenhagen. 

BLUE IS THE COLOUR ... John Terry - who quit England on Sunday - warms up ahead of kick-off

 

Now he was trying to halt the European champions with his reserve team... and failing miserably.
Chelsea looked capable of scoring every time they crossed the halfway line and it came as no surprise when the impeccable Mata fired them even further ahead on 17 minutes. 

Swapping passes with first Ramires and then Fernando Torres, the little Spanish maestro waltzed through the mesmerised Wolves defence before lashing home his first goal of the season. 

It was like shooting fish in a barrel for Chelsea and they almost paid for taking things a bit too easily midway through the first-half. 

HEADS WE WIN ... Fernando Torres nods in No 5

 

David Davis’ ball allowed Slawomir Peszko to run right between Terry and Cahill and around keeper Ross Turnbull, but with the goal beckoning the Polish winger shot wide. 

It was as close as Wolves were going to get to a consolation all night and they were soon back deep in their own half desperately trying to keep the score respectable. 

Mata, all 5ft 7in of him, shaved the post with a free-kick and Torres fired across the face of goal after a poor first touch had forced him wide. 

Georg Margreitter almost sliced into his own net and Mata fizzed another free-kick perilously close on a night when Piazon, Moses and Cesar Azpilicueta all started their first game for the Blues. 

MINE ... John Terry gets stuck in to clear his lines

 

But any Wolves hopes that Chelsea might take things easy after the break were quickly dashed when Moses was brought down by De Vries and Romeu scored from the spot with 53 minutes gone.
Even Torres got in on the act with his first goal in five games, the striker heading in unchallenged from Mata’s 58th-minute corner. 

And Moses completed the rout from substitute Oscar’s cross. 

Chelsea started the season going for seven trophies and have already waved goodbye to the Community Shield and Super Cup. 

SIX AND OUT ... Victor Moses makes it 6-0

 

But at least their Capital One Cup hopes are still alive.

Roman £45m Falcao bid

HE'S RAD ... Chelsea are lining up a bid for Falcao

CHELSEA are plotting a £45million swoop for Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao.

Preliminary discussions have already taken place about a January move for the Atletico Madrid goal machine.
And Blues owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light to a formal bid after watching Falcao destroy his team in last month’s UEFA Super Cup.

The European champions now believe they cannot achieve their ambitions with Fernando Torres as their only front-line striker.

And they are already holding internal talks to work out the best way of being first in the queue for Falcao when the transfer window reopens in January.

A Chelsea source admitted: “The groundwork is already being done for Falcao.
“The owner wants everything in place now so a deal can be done before any other club can make a counter-offer.”

Falcao, 26, has scored an astonishing 115 goals in just three years in European football, including a Monaco hat-trick against Chelsea in the Super Cup.

Atletico paid £32million to sign him from Porto only last summer, but up to half of that fee is believed to have been provided by a third party investment fund which includes the player’s representative Jorge Mendes.