Fulham, Brighton, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace are seeking their first trophies as they compete for FA Cup triumph in 2025. But what concerning the players without pots? We have you supported with a lineup assured to secure sixth place in the Premier League.
GK: Bart Verbruggen [Brighton]
Netherlands' top player Verbruggen kicks off our trophyless XI, as his Brighton team gets ready to face the Premier League's third-best squad, Nottingham Forest, in the FA Cup quarter-finals this Saturday.
Brighton aim to get back at the team that scored seven against them and Verbruggen on February 1. Verbruggen allowed all but two of the attempts that Forest directed on goal, resulting in the Seagulls facing their worst league defeat since the 9-0 loss to Middlesbrough on the opening day of the 1958/59 season in the second division.
Verbruggen is among the top young goalkeepers in Europe yet couldn't secure any titles during his three years at Anderlecht, which is regrettable given their dominance in the 2010s. He received the club’s Player of the Season award for 2022/23, which facilitated his transfer to England.
RB: Matty Cash [Aston Villa]
Nottingham Forest’s Player of the Season for 2019/20 and Aston Villa’s Player of the Season in 2021/22, Cash has scored more goals for the Polish national team than the number of trophies he has won throughout his career. You figured it out, he has a huge fat zero in that area.
Villa will be optimistic about their prospects in the FA Cup, particularly after being fortunate to face the sole team not in the Premier League, Preston North End. Their quarter-final takes place at Deepdale, which makes it less certain than if it were held at Villa Park.
This indicates that the team positioned 14th in the Championship is what separates the Villans from their first journey to Wembley since the 2020 League Cup final loss to Manchester City – which occurred six months prior to their acquisition of 23-year-old Cash from Forest.
CB: Joachim Andersen [Fulham]
Anderson, previously with Twente, Lyon, Sampdoria, and Crystal Palace – currently with Fulham – has yet to secure a trophy. Certainly, you were aware of that considering the premise of this article.
The 28-year-old Danish player aspires to secure his first major trophy, which would also be Fulham's inaugural significant title. The Cottagers last appeared in a domestic final 50 years ago in the FA Cup and reached the Europa League final in 2010, where they experienced a devastating extra-time defeat to Atletico Madrid.
We believe Fulham requires this more than many, and Marco Silva would be mistaken if he doesn't focus on this competition above all else. As Tottenham Hotspur possibly looks for a new manager this summer, it may turn out to be the ideal farewell present.
CB: Murillo [Nottingham Forest]
Continuing with the diversity, we present our first Nottingham Forest player!
The Liverpool transfer target Murillo, at just 22 years old, has already established himself as one of the top centre-backs in the Premier League and a full international for Brazil. He and Nikola Milenkovic have established an excellent partnership at the core of the Forest defense, and this sturdy base has placed Forest in a great position to secure a top-three finish in the Premier League and possibly claim the FA Cup.
Forest were defeated by the eventual champions Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and head to Brighton this weekend aware that they could be just 90 minutes from clinching a spot at Wembley. Being third in the league, they are technically the top team remaining in the FA Cup. Interestingly, Oddschecker states they have the lowest chances of winning among the seven remaining top-tier teams. That will shift significantly if they defeat Brighton on Saturday...
LB: Milos Kerkez [Bournemouth]
At only 21 years old, it’s not surprising that Kerkez hasn't secured a trophy, yet he was once a player for AC Milan. He didn't achieve any victories in Italy and gained absolutely nothing in his sole season in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar.
Bournemouth has yet to secure a significant trophy, and no matter the outcome of their FA Cup journey, Kerkez is bound for greater achievements, ensuring he will undoubtedly not end his career without at least one winner's medal.
Liverpool is said to be interested, and even though the discussions have centered around Trent Alexander-Arnold and the right-back situation, Arne Slot must acquire a new left-back this summer. Kerkez will undoubtedly be his choice.
DM: Boubacar Kamara [Aston Villa]
Ex-Marseille midfielder Kamara made it to the Europa League final in 2018, where he was outmatched by Atletico Madrid.
Villa ought to have secured the Europa Conference League last season, but they are the second-favorites for this year's FA Cup and remain in the Champions League, though as significant underdogs.
Kamara is another athlete we believe will not finish his career without securing a major trophy, whether that's at Villa Park or another location.
DM: Will Hughes [Crystal Palace]
Amadou Onana surpasses Hughes in skill, yet he is six years younger, which is why the Crystal Palace veteran is in our lineup.
A second-place finisher with Watford in 2019, Hughes wishes for Palace to steer clear of a beating from Manchester City in this season's tournament.
AM: Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)
The nearest Kluivert has gotten to winning trophies was the 2016/17 Europa League final with Ajax and the 2020/21 Coupe de France final with Nice. Conversely, his father, Patrick, achieved nine trophies during his career, including the Champions League title in 1995.
Among everyone present, Kluivert is experiencing the most outstanding season personally. He has been remarkable, performing at levels we never imagined he could reach. Andoni Iraola definitely understands how to maximize the potential of the Dutchman, who must deliver another excellent display against Man City in the quarter-final on Sunday.
AM: Eberechi Eze [Crystal Palace]
Eze came close to securing a remarkable first trophy with England during last summer’s European Championship, but it just wasn't in the cards for Gareth Southgate’s team.
Every member of this team is an excellent football player, but it's not surprising to learn they have no trophies. Eze has been a player for Queens Park Rangers, Wycombe Wanderers, and Crystal Palace – thus, it is anticipated.
He will be 27 in the summer, and if Palace fail to win the FA Cup this season, it is quite probable that Eze will transfer during the window.
ST: Ollie Watkins [Aston Villa]
Watkins has numerous personal awards to his credit but is still in pursuit of that elusive first trophy at the age of 29. He was part of the England team that was defeated by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Once more, the sole Premier League team he has represented is Aston Villa, which he joined in 2020 prior to Brentford's ascent to the top division. He has been an exceptional player for the Villans and has flourished ever since Unai Emery took over from Steven Gerrard. Indeed, the club collectively has made progress, but Watkins has transformed into one of the top strikers in the Premier League after previously being merely average.
In January, Arsenal expressed interest, but if Watkins joined them, he would only have a slim chance at a Champions League title, whereas Villa is realistically pursuing both that and FA Cup success.
Joao Pedro [Brighton]
Together with Kerkez and Andersen, our guy Pedro lacks an honours section on his Wikipedia page. Sad, truly. Or do you prefer that or an honors section featuring just ‘Europa League runner-up: 2017-18’ like Kamara?
Pedro aims to defeat Forest and then secure victories in two additional matches to claim a trophy for the first time.
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