FA Cup Flops: Six Prem Squad Lurkers Who Blanked Their Big Chance

What a weekend for the FA Cup, eh? Managers chucked in the fringe players amid a mad fixture pile-up, giving some lads a proper shot at nicking a starting spot. But six of them? Total no-shows. Here's the sorry bunch who'll be back warming the bench quicker than you can say 'rotation policy'.

Midfield Misfires: Willock, Lavia and Rigg

Let's kick off with Joe Willock at Newcastle. Facing Manchester City, the lad had a golden chance but blazed it into the stands from a plum position. At 26, with just 100 Prem starts under his belt, he's got all the tools but none sharp enough for Eddie Howe's high-flying Magpies. Frustrating doesn't cover it – he's like that mate who promises the world but delivers a dodgy kebab.

Over at Chelsea, Romeo Lavia finally got a start since November in their 4-2 graft past Wrexham. Boss Liam Rosenior jumped to his defence post-match, snapping at critics: fair enough after four months out. But for fans dreaming of him bossing a pivot with Moises Caicedo, those injury gremlins loom large. Will he ever string games together? Dodgy signs.

Then there's Sunderland's teenage sensation Chris Rigg, the one-time 'new Bellingham' with Man United sniffing around. That buzz has well and truly died – no goals or assists since Boxing Day 2024, and his form in the cup loss to Port Vale won't have Sir Jim Ratcliffe rushing for the chequebook. Gutted for the kid, but reality bites.

Forward Fiascos: Delap, Bobb and Jesus

Liam Delap looked promising early doors against Wrexham, shrugging off a marker and pinging it wide to Alejandro Garnacho. Cheers all round. But then? Clumsy touches, lost battles, sloppy balls. Compared to sub Joao Pedro, who smashed in his 11th goal in 13 under Rosenior (plus five assists), Delap's a lump without the finesse. Summer suitors like West Ham, Nottm Forest and Everton might still bite, mind.

Oscar Bobb's Fulham debut was a nightmare. Marco Silva rang nine changes in a meek surrender to Southampton, despite banging on pre-match about cup seriousness. Bobb managed one dribble, one key pass, zero crosses. Rough initiation for the new boy – don't expect PL starts on this evidence. What are Fulham playing for anyway? Answers on a postcard.

Finally, Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal. One puny shot in 90 minutes vs Mansfield ain't cutting it. Mikel Arteta won't bench Viktor Gyokeres for that. Two weeks after his Wolves meltdown – mocked by Gabriel Agbonlahor for hard-man antics – Jesus feels surplus. Cash in this summer; the Gunners have moved on.

Bench Warmers United: The Verdict

These lads had their moment, but it slipped away like a wet Wednesday night in Stoke. Cup ties like these are auditions, and they bombed. Managers won't forget, and with the season sprinting to the line, expect more of the same: limited minutes, endless scrolling on loan apps. Harsh? Maybe. But footy's brutal – grab your chance or get left behind. Who's next to audition? Pass the popcorn.