FA Cup lessons: What we learned from Wales

CARDIFF, WALES - JANUARY 28: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round between Cardiff City and Manchester City on January 28, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

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CARDIFF, WALES – JANUARY 28: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round between Cardiff City and Manchester City on January 28, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

‘2nd’ String Players Stepping Up:

I called them ‘2nd’ string, but really it is a squad game, with rotation key. Early on in the season, some of these guys couldn’t make the Premier League starting eleven. Danilo, Bernardo and Ilkay Gundogan didn’t exactly set the League of fire early on. Meanwhile, Bravo had the demons of last season to contend with.

This season, Claudio Bravo has put in some good performances in the cup games. He did almost give away an easy goal, but that was more of the exception rather than the rule this season for the Chilean.

Ilkay and Bernardo continue to make inroads and have made the Premier League side, and Danilo made a good case for himself today. That last one is fantastic news for Pep, especially if Sane is out for a while. Danilo could now take that left back role until Delph and Mendy return, allowing Pep to have Zinchenko available further up maybe.

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