'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2: It gives fringe squad members valuable playing time
As the bigger clubs of the Premier League have continued to grow over the last few years, we’ve seen their squads grow even larger too. The Premier League does have a squad limit of 25 players, but that figure doesn’t include under-21 players and crucially, these rules do not apply to cup competitions like the FA Cup.
What does this mean? Basically, that the extra games provided by the FA Cup can give fringe squad members – as well as up-and-coming youth stars – valuable playing time, particularly with the bigger Premier League clubs.
An example of this was during this season’s competition – Tottenham, not renowned for having the deepest squad, used their cup games not only to blood younger players like Kyle Walker-Peters but also to reintroduce injured players (Toby Alderweireld, Harry Winks) and to embed new signings (Lucas Moura) too.
Even Chelsea got in on this act, as Welsh youngster Ethan Ampadu was handed three of his first games for the Blues in FA Cup matches.
With playing time at an absolute premium for younger players these days – players who might otherwise struggle to break into a Premier League first team, the FA Cup remains hugely relevant.
