Radamel Falcao’s grandmother has criticised Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal for not giving her grandson the opportunities to recover his form.

The Colombian striker has shown few signs of improvement since trading a loan at Manchester United for Chelsea. Falcao looks a shadow of the player who once terrified European defences and has yet to show his best since an anterior cruciate ligament injury in early 2014.

The 29-year-old was not even named in the matchday squad for Saturday’s victory over Aston Villa and is considering ending his loan spell early as he looks for greater game time.

The former Colombia captain, who has lost the armband to Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin, has seen his playing time limited on the international stage, with Carlos Bacca and Teofilo Gutierrez preferred to him in the recent World Cup qualifiers.

Dona Denis King Garcia, grandmother of the striker, came to Falcao’s defence in an interview with El Universal, saying: “The truth is that he has had few opportunities to play.

Ranking Chelsea's signings so far this season 6 show all Ranking Chelsea's signings so far this season 1/6 Asmir Begovic: B Despite being signed in the summer mainly as a back-up option to first-choice shot-stopper Courtois, Begovic has been superb when utilised by Mourinho - particular following the injury to the Belgian.



The fact that Chelsea have the second-worst defensive records in the Premier League at the moment is more down to the Blues' back line faltering than Begovic doing badly in goal. 2/6 Papy Djilobodji: N/A The centre-back only had a few minutes to impress in Chelsea's win over Walsall, and so it is difficult to assess how well he has done. Getty 3/6 Radamel Falcao: D Despite doubts over whether he had the ability to find his goalscoring form following a torrid season-long loan at Manchester United last term, Mourinho's faith in Falcao has not yet paid off.



On the one hand, the striker hasn't exactly had the game time to really get into the rhythm of things at his new club but when he has started for Chelsea, the Colombian hasn't appeared confident and clinical in front of goal.



Against Walsall in the Capital One Cup, for example, Falcao looked rusty - perhaps as a result of a lack of minutes on the pitch - but despite that showing, the striker has opened his account for the Blues with a fine diving header in Chelsea's 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in September. (Julian Finney/Getty Images) 4/6 Kenedy: C The forward has only played one full game for Chelsea since arriving from Fluminense this summer, but in the match with Walsall, the Brazilian shone - scoring a fine goal and looking positive throughout. 5/6 Pedro: D After arriving to much fanfare from European holders Barcelona in August, Pedro has endured a mixed start to life at Chelsea.



His impact from the right wing was felt as early as the Spaniard's first game for the Blues when he inspired Mourinho's side to a 3-2 victory away to West Brom days after signing for the Blues - scoring once and setting up another in the game.



But Pedro's impact has begun to wane since that match, which perhaps has in part been down to a minor injury he sustained last month, and the 28-year-old has failed to show the kind of form that he demonstrated against West Brom.



However, Pedro has certainly demonstrated a high work rate during games, but will be looking to convert that output into an end product such as goals and assists. 6/6 Baba Rahman: C The left-back played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv last month and impressed on his debut after defending well and also regularly getting involved in the Blues' attacking play.



He followed up that showing with another positive display against Walsall in the Capital One Cup, which has already demonstrated he is a good back-up option to Cesar Azpilicueta should Mourinho decide to rest or play the Spaniard at right-back. 1/6 Asmir Begovic: B Despite being signed in the summer mainly as a back-up option to first-choice shot-stopper Courtois, Begovic has been superb when utilised by Mourinho - particular following the injury to the Belgian.



The fact that Chelsea have the second-worst defensive records in the Premier League at the moment is more down to the Blues' back line faltering than Begovic doing badly in goal. 2/6 Papy Djilobodji: N/A The centre-back only had a few minutes to impress in Chelsea's win over Walsall, and so it is difficult to assess how well he has done. Getty 3/6 Radamel Falcao: D Despite doubts over whether he had the ability to find his goalscoring form following a torrid season-long loan at Manchester United last term, Mourinho's faith in Falcao has not yet paid off.



On the one hand, the striker hasn't exactly had the game time to really get into the rhythm of things at his new club but when he has started for Chelsea, the Colombian hasn't appeared confident and clinical in front of goal.



Against Walsall in the Capital One Cup, for example, Falcao looked rusty - perhaps as a result of a lack of minutes on the pitch - but despite that showing, the striker has opened his account for the Blues with a fine diving header in Chelsea's 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in September. (Julian Finney/Getty Images) 4/6 Kenedy: C The forward has only played one full game for Chelsea since arriving from Fluminense this summer, but in the match with Walsall, the Brazilian shone - scoring a fine goal and looking positive throughout. 5/6 Pedro: D After arriving to much fanfare from European holders Barcelona in August, Pedro has endured a mixed start to life at Chelsea.



His impact from the right wing was felt as early as the Spaniard's first game for the Blues when he inspired Mourinho's side to a 3-2 victory away to West Brom days after signing for the Blues - scoring once and setting up another in the game.



But Pedro's impact has begun to wane since that match, which perhaps has in part been down to a minor injury he sustained last month, and the 28-year-old has failed to show the kind of form that he demonstrated against West Brom.



However, Pedro has certainly demonstrated a high work rate during games, but will be looking to convert that output into an end product such as goals and assists. 6/6 Baba Rahman: C The left-back played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv last month and impressed on his debut after defending well and also regularly getting involved in the Blues' attacking play.



He followed up that showing with another positive display against Walsall in the Capital One Cup, which has already demonstrated he is a good back-up option to Cesar Azpilicueta should Mourinho decide to rest or play the Spaniard at right-back.

“At first he was used a lot, but after that he has been used very little; in those 10 or 15 minutes he's being given he can't do anything. And so it is very difficult for him. You have to give him more time to do what he does best.”

She also criticised the coaches who have worked with Falcao since his loan departure from Monaco in September last year.

“After the injury he suffered last year before the World Cup he has tried to return and has played some good matches; but I also think the coaches he has worked with have not been explicit with him. You have to show confidence in him because that is the only way he can return like before.”

Falcao has made just two starts since signing for Chelsea in July, scoring one goal in nine appearances.