The FA Cup returns this weekend, and with it the giants enter the competition to set up several mouth-watering ties.
Sunday’s clash at the Emirates between Arsenal and Manchester United is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch, with the two teams with the most FA Cup wins slugging it out once more.
There is also the all Premier League affair in the Midlands, where Aston Villa will host West Ham, as well as a number of opportunities for a good old-fashioned FA Cup upset.
Liverpool will host Accrington Stanley, Crystal Palace welcome a Stockport County to Selhurst Park, and Man City take on neighbours Salford City, owned of course by Man United‘s famous Class of ’92 stars.
Yet the biggest chance at a piece of magic of them all comes when Tottenham travel to Non-League Tamworth, where they will be hoping to avoid a memorable defeat.
When the country’s biggest clubs draw a so-called ‘minnow’ in the third round of the FA Cup, it’s often the cue for managers to rotate their squad, rest their stars and give opportunities to youngsters. With that in mind, here are 10 exciting kids who could just might play a part this weekend…
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will host Man United in the pick of the ties this FA Cup weekend
Tamworth’s The Lamb will welcome Premier League opposition when Spurs visit on Sunday
Managers will have the opportunity to give some of their young stars some game time
WILL OSULA (Newcastle)
Age: 21
Position: Forward
Newcastle vs Bromley, Sunday 3pm
Shares Alexander Isak’s ability to run in behind defenders at pace and likely to be given a chance to show what he can do against League Two Bromley.
Osula, a Danish under-21 international who moved to England as a young boy, has had limited opportunities since a £15million move from Sheffield United but is tipped for big things and scored in last season’s FA Cup third and fourth rounds for The Blades.
One of his strengths is the ability to strike the ball cleanly with either foot.
Toon boss Eddie Howe will be keen to trial him as a starter.
Will Osula is likely to be given a chance to show what he can do against League Two Bromley
MIKEY MOORE (Tottenham)
Age: 17
Position: Forward
Tamworth vs Tottenham, Sunday 12.30pm
There has been a buzz about the forward throughout his time at Tottenham’s academy and he’ll be keen to face Tamworth on Sunday and follow in the footsteps of fellow teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.
Moore has ripped it up in some Europa League games this season and club captain Son Heung-min predicts ‘he will be one of the top players’.
With good physical stature at 5ft 11ins to go alongside outstanding technique, Moore can play anywhere along the front line.
All he needs to accelerate his progress now is a first senior goal and you wouldn’t bet against it coming this weekend.
Mikey Moore has already put on a show in some of Tottenham’s European games this term
TOBY COLLYER (Man Utd)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Arsenal vs Manchester United, Sunday 3pm
For all the talk about another United midfield academy graduate, Kobbie Mainoo, it’s easy to forget that Collyer’s athleticism and tenacity is a perfect fit for Ruben Amorim’s system.
Collyer has already shown in only two senior appearances he’s not fazed by the big occasion.
His debut in September came in trying circumstances when he replaced Casemiro at half-time with United 2-0 down to Liverpool and his display was hailed as ‘brilliant’ by ex-Reds defender David May.
Though Amorim won’t take many selection gambles for a cup-tie at Arsenal, don’t be surprised to see Collyer involved as he seeks a winning formula.
Toby Collyer’s Manchester United debut came in trying circumstances earlier this season
JAHMAI SIMPSON-PUSEY (Man City)
Age: 19
Position: Centre back
Manchester City vs Salford, Saturday 5.45pm
Hailed by Pep Guardiola as part of Manchester City’s future, Simpson-Pusey looks ready to take the next step having captained the club to last season’s FA Youth Cup.
The graceful central defender had a taste of the City’s first-team by joining their pre-season tour of America and facing AC Milan and Celtic.
His only Premier League start came at Brighton in November and a home FA Cup tie against League Two Salford looks an ideal opportunity.
Simpson-Pusey decided not to go on loan for such chances. ‘Going out will give you experience but not the experience you would get from staying here with the best manager,’ he says.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has already been hailed by Pep Guardiola as part of Man City’s future
MARC GUIU (Chelsea)
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Chelsea vs Morecambe, Saturday 3pm
So far, all the striker’s five goals this season have come in the Europa Conference League but he’ll be excited to get off the mark domestically with Saturday’s visitors to Stamford Bridge Morecambe next-to-bottom in League Two.
Chelsea signed the teenager from Barcelona last summer on a five-year contract as part of their project to build a young and vibrant squad to challenge for the next decade.
His instinct in front of goal saw him score a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers leaving former Chelsea favourite Joe Cole to declare on television: ‘I think Barcelona made a real mistake.’
Marc Guiu has already scored five times for Chelsea – all in the Europa Conference League
WILL ALVES (Leicester)
Age: 19
Position: Forward
Chelsea vs Morecambe, Saturday 3pm
Tipped around the east Midlands to become another James Maddison, Alves’ progress would have been quicker without missing a year because of a bad ACL injury.
Having made his first-team debut at 16 and featured on the BBC Wonderkids Challenge, Alves has needed to be patient during his comeback but has impressed new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy who says: ‘He’s showing us he’s a threat and can create something for others around him.’
Alves made his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Manchester City a fortnight ago and is expected to have a more significant role in the cup against QPR on Saturday.
Will Alves has been tipped around the east Midlands to become another James Maddison
JAMES McCONNELL (Liverpool)
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley, Saturday 12.15pm
Due to Liverpool’s squad strength, McConnell has had few opportunities since replacing World Cup Alexis Mac Allister at Wembley last February as one of ‘Klopp’s kids’ who memorably won the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
The midfielder’s only appearance this season was off the bench in the same competition at Southampton but is highly regarded inside the club and in line to face Accrington at Anfield.
McConnell is capable of springboarding attacks at the base of midfield or playing further forward and contributing with goals and assists.
He originally started at the Sunderland academy – like Liverpool’s last Champions League-winning captain Jordan Henderson.
James McConnell emerged as one of Liverpool’s ‘Klopp’s Kids’ to win the Carabao Cup
CHADI RIAD (Crystal Palace)
Age: 21
Position: Centre back
Crystal Palace vs Stockport, Sunday 3pm
Palace paid Barcelona £14million for the Moroccan defender last summer after he had impressed on loan at Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis.
Riad suffered a setback to his career in England by suffering knee ligament damage in August but has returned to the bench last weekend and Eagles fans will be looking forward to seeing what he can do against Stockport on Sunday.
An imposing centre half, Riad has already scored an international goal for Morocco who reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022.
On his signing, Palace chairman said Riad would ‘add quality’, Selhurst Park is about to see what all the fuss is about.
Crystal Palace paid Barcelona £15million for Chadi Riad before he suffered a knee injury
JAMES DEBAYO (Leeds)
Age: 19
Position: Centre back
Leeds vs Harrogate, Saturday 5.45pm
A Yorkshire derby against League Two Harrogate has pricked local interest but without the same pressure as Leeds United’s Championship games, Daniel Farke can road test some of his promising youngsters.
Having made one appearance as a substitute in the league, centre half Debayo will hope to be one of those given a chance.
Farke has admitted being tough on the teenager but says it’s a sign that he rates his prospects. ‘He’s probably the player I’m most strict with,’ admits the Leeds boss.
‘I’m always trying to correct him but it’s a good sign. When I moan about a player, I believe in his potential.’
James Debayo could get a chance to shine in the Yorkshire derby against Harrogate Town
DANIEL JEBBISON (Bournemouth)
Age: 21
Position: Forward
Bournemouth vs West Brom, Saturday 3pm
As one door closes, another opens. Injuries to Bournemouth forwards Evanilson and Enes Unal has led The Cherries to recalling Jebbison from his loan spell at Watford and he may have to be thrown straight in for their third round tie at home to West Brom.
Jebbison’s £1.5million move to Bournemouth from Sheffield United hasn’t been a success and he also failed to impress at Vicarage Road.
However, the FA Cup is full of tales of the unexpected, and Jebbison could be next.
He certainly has talent, scoring on his first Premier League start aged 17 for United against Everton.
