Weekly Why: The Romanticism of 4th Place, Mascots and Radamel Falcao's Future
Welcome to Bleacher Report's Weekly Why, a place where we discuss world football's biggest questions that may go neglected and/or avoided. Ranging from the jovial to the melancholic, no subject matter is deemed off-limits.
Why Do We Care So Much About Fourth Place?
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Now that Leicester City have won the Premier League title, there might not be a better time to ask: "Why do we glorify fourth place?"
It's another storyline, and I've written about England possibly losing their fourth UEFA Champions League spot, but only because people care. It really shouldn't be such a massive deal. There's a saying that goes: "Second place is the first loser," if true, then what is fourth place?
When was the last time a fourth-placed English club actually did anything of note in the Champions League?
Even if the title race were still open, when the relegation scrap is still raging, I'm taken aback how discussions are tailored to the top four. If we haven't noticed, Leicester City are Premier League champions. It probably means the clubs fighting for fourth aren't worthy of the copious attention bestowed upon them—they dropped the proverbial ball somewhere.
Should we talk about the top four? Yes.
Should the top four be a headline issue, though? I'm not convinced.
It suggests losing is somehow acceptable when consolation prizes are celebrated. That message doesn't sit right with me. The mission for every club should be winning the Premier League.
If any season has proved that possibility, it's been this one.
Why Do Clubs Have Mascots?
There are mascots in fluffy costumes, some of which are more frightening than humorous, but what I've always wondered about are the mascots (usually children) that come out with footballers before games start.
Who are these kids, and why wasn't I one? Do you need influential parents and money or something?
Possibly more interesting, some of the children look uninterested. Maybe they're nervous, or don't understand the moment, but it always strikes me as odd.
From a footballer's perspective, though, kids aren't always the healthiest. I've seen kids before. They pick their noses, then eat food—they don't care, much less about the health of those around them.
There must be hand sanitiser on the respective benches, right?
In any event, I think it's a cool thing football does. I'm not exactly sure why (if I had to guess it's a money grab, clubs padding their books), but those experiences last a lifetime—which is all we should really worry about.
Why Would Anyone Sign Radamel Falcao at this Point?
I didn't know when to write this, but as the season closes, I have to wonder: "Who is going to sign Radamel Falcao this summer?" Some unfortunate club is going to risk thousands in weekly wages hoping the centre-forward can return to his former FC Porto or Atletico Madrid glory days.
But who?
AS Monaco, Manchester United and Chelsea have already been burned, but you can bet your bottom dollar, pound or Euro that an owner, technical director and/or manager will gamble on Falcao's salvageability.
Good luck with that.
South America or China could be options (China seems optional for every player whose future remains in doubt), but would the Colombia international be willing to essentially wave the white flag on his career?
El Tigre should have run out of lives last season with United, certainly after this season with Chelsea, but maybe he has more than nine? It would be the only explanation.
I don't know who's going to sign Falcao, but someone will, and that's going to be my primary source of comedy during the upcoming summer transfer window.
We'll see what happens.
Last Weekly: Premier League, Leicester City and the Fortune Championships Require | Why Did Leicester City Win the Premier League?
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
