The FA Cup returns this weekend, and with it being the 3rd round of competition, it means that all 20 English Premier League teams will take part.
With the big teams competing in the sport’s oldest competition, we take a closer look at the players who play for the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ that can take advantage and get into their manager’s good books ahead of the rest of the season.
Federico Chiesa – Liverpool
Chiesa joined late in the transfer window and didn’t get a chance to have much of a pre-season after being left out of the squad by new Juventus manager Thiago Motta. As a result, he’s been limited to rare substitute appearances and minutes with the under-21s, though injury also hampered his road to the first team.
But with an FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley this weekend, the Italian international is likely to be in the starting line-up. This gives him the perfect opportunity to get into Arne Slot’s good books & back into Premier League playing contention.
Mikey Moore – Spurs
Mikey Moore became Spurs’ youngest Premier League player with a substitute appearance against Manchester City last May. His rapid rise continued with an impressive pre-season and now a memorable first start in the Europa League this season. However, an illness meant that the last match the 17-year-old played in was the EFL Cup clash against Manchester City on 30 October.
Moore is now ready for selection after recovering, and he has a great chance to impress Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou in the FA Cup against non-league side Tamworth Town this weekend.
James McAtee – Man City
James McAtee has struggled for consistent first-team opportunities at Manchester City, since Pep Guardiola insisted to keep the player for the ongoing season last summer.
Despite Guardiola being a fan of McAtee, the midfielder has been limited to under 400 minutes of match action and has started only two games across his 10 appearances.
Man City are set to host Salford City in the FA Cup this weekend, which will give McAtee a chance in the starting line-up to impress his boss and create more opportunities in the Premier League.
Marc Guiu – Chelsea
Marc Guiu has not been used at all in the Premier League, after making his debut against Man City on the opening game of the season. Starting striker Nicholas Jackson has not scored in the last three matches, and has missed some big opportunities along the way. The Blues will play against Morecambe this weekend, and expect Guiu to start to add to his six goals he’s already scored in the Europa Conference League.
Raheem Sterling – Arsenal
Raheem Sterling has had a difficult start to life at Arsenal following his loan switch Chelsea in the summer. The winger has featured just 11 times for the Gunners in all competitions this season. Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka following a hamstring injury he picked up earlier in December, which gives Sterling more chances to get game time.
The Gunners host Man United in the FA Cup this Sunday, and Sterling will be in starting contention after the loss of form to the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Joshua Zirkzee – Man United
Zirkzee has been an easy target for criticism this season after recording just four goals and two assists in 19 appearances since his £36 million move from Bologna last summer. However, Man United as a team have struggled this season & sit in 13th place in the Premier League, but they still have a chance to retain the FA Cup as they did last season.
Fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund has also struggled for goals this season, but a game against historic rivals Arsenal could see Zirkzee put in a strong performance, and use it as a catalyst to turn his Man United career around.
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