- The FA Cup third round weekend is unfailingly a highlight of the calendar
- Some Premier League sides will be tempted to field under-strength sides
- It’s about survival! FA Cup replays must remain for the good of English football – It’s All Kicking Off
The FA Cup third round weekend is always a highlight of any football season as fans everywhere wish for an upset or two while their own side sails through.
For some of the bigger Premier League teams, it has become an opportunity to give experience to a few up-and-coming talents as senior figures get a weekend off.
It may well be a reflection of the hectic festive schedule or genuine disinterest in a competition that has lost a bit of lustre, but the youngsters handed their opportunity are unlikely to care.
Here’s a few rising stars hoping for a big of Cup magic over the coming few days.
WILLY KAMBWALA
Manchester United (away to Wigan Athletic, Monday 8.15pm); 19, central defender
Erik ten Hag needs the FA Cup to be his salvation following a poor start to the season but a visit to League One Wigan Athletic certainly ranks as a possible banana skin.
Nonetheless, given their injury issues in defence, we may see another glimpse of teenager Willy Kambwala, who was handed his debut in last month’s defeat to West Ham.
The 6ft 4in defender, who is eligible to play internationally for France or DR Congo, is well-regarded in United’s academy and should be someone we see more of this season.
ALFIE GILCHRIST
Chelsea (home to Preston North End, Saturday 5.30pm); 20, defender
Impressively given the vastness of Chelsea’s squad, youngster Gilchrist has featured as a late substitute in their last two Premier League matches.
He is captain of the club’s under-21 side and caught the eye of coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was keen to hand him a first-team debut.
Although Gilchrist is attracting interest from clubs who want to take him on loan, reports suggest Chelsea want to keep him for now and he may well feature against Championship side Preston.
ETHAN NWANERI
Arsenal (home to Liverpool, Sunday 4.30pm); 16, attacking midfielder
Arsenal vs Liverpool on Sunday jumps out as the tie of the round but the strength of the respective teams will be a good barometer as to whether the Cup is desirable or distraction this season.
If Mikel Arteta fields an under-strength side in order to prioritise their Premier League title push, we may see 16-year-old academy hopeful Nwaneri, who recently made the bench against West Ham.
The midfielder became the youngest-ever Premier League player – and by some distance – at 15 years and 181 days when he came off the bench against Brentford in September 2022.
JAMES MCCONNELL
Liverpool (away to Arsenal, Sunday 4.30pm)l 19, central midfielder
Likewise, Jurgen Klopp may decide to rotate heavily for the FA Cup given Liverpool are top of the Premier League, in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and still in the Europa League.
Among several players hoping for game time is McConnell, who has made brief cameos in one league and two European games so far this season, while often being an unused sub.
Klopp praised the midfielder for his performances during pre-season and a first start for Liverpool would be the natural next step for the young midfielder.
MICAH HAMILTON
Manchester City (home to Huddersfield Town, Sunday 2pm); 20, winger/midfielder
City’s academy is consistently producing talented players and Pep Guardiola is gradually giving a few of them a chance to shine.
One is local lad Micah Hamilton, whose professional debut last month saw him score and win a penalty during City’s 3-2 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.
Capable of playing virtually anywhere across the midfield, Hamilton captains City’s under-21 side but is just as likely to be among Guardiola’s subs at the moment.
JAMIE DONLEY
Tottenham Hotspur (home to Burnley, Friday 8pm); 18, forward
If you’re chucked on for your senior debut deep into stoppage time during a crazy 3-3 draw at Manchester City, it does suggest your manager trusts you.
That happened to forward Donley last month, with Ange Postecoglou making a dream come true for the boyhood Spurs fan who’s been at the club since the age of eight.
He subsequently came on against Newcastle a week later and has been in blistering form for the reserves.
In Northern Ireland, where he was born, reporters have already labelled him the ‘new Harry Kane’. No pressure, kid!
ALEX MURPHY
Newcastle United (away to Sunderland, Saturday 12.45pm); 19, central defender
Irish youth international Murphy has become a common fixture on Newcastle’s bench with Eddie Howe so depleted thanks to an injury pile-up.
He was handed a debut off the bench in the 4-1 win over Chelsea back in November and has been patiently waiting for more opportunities.
Saturday’s crunch Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland is maybe no place to be blooding youngsters but Murphy could get a taste of what will undoubtedly be a fierce atmosphere.
LEWIS ORFORD
West Ham United (home to Bristol City, Sunday 2pm); 17, central midfielder
With West Ham safely ensconced in the Premier League top six and with the Europa League on hiatus until March, why not have a crack at the FA Cup too?
They have a favourable home draw against mid-table Championship opposition but it would be a shame if some of the youngsters on the fringes of the first team weren’t given a shot.
Orford, 17, is one of these having been an unused sub a couple of times this season. Being an all-action midfielder means the England under-18 international is inevitably compared with a certain £105m footballer who left last summer.
MORGAN ROGERS
Middlesbrough (home to Aston Villa, Saturday 5.30pm); 21, attacking/left midfield
No introduction needed for those who follow the Championship but Rogers, who joined Middlesbrough from Manchester City back in the summer, is one of the league’s top performers.
With six goals and seven assists to his credit already, Rogers has helped power Boro to the Carabao Cup semi-finals and they’ll hope for a similarly good run in the FA Cup too.
Michael Carrick’s team face a tricky assignment against Aston Villa but there’s every chance their opponents will value their league situation more than a lengthy FA Cup run.
RICKY-JADE JONES
Peterborough United (home to Leeds United, Sunday 2pm); 21, left winger
Peterborough, flying high in League One, will provide a stiff test for Leeds, who’ve exited at this stage in five of the last six seasons.
The average age of Darren Ferguson’s team is among the youngest in the EFL and one of several stand-out players is Ricky-Jade Jones, who has seven goals and four assists this season.
Jones, 21, is a Posh academy graduate and can play right across the front line as required.
He may help them into the Championship this season anyway but if he can’t, interest from second-tier clubs is probably inevitable in the summer.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
