The ‘magic of the cup’ has been a saying that does the rounds every single time the FA Cup begins. This year, Sutton United and Lincoln featured heavily in this fairytale as they looked to overturn extraordinary odds to reach the quarter-final and semi-final of the cup, but they were dispensed of by Arsenal on both counts.
However, the magic of the cup was at it’s elating best as Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth beat Cardiff City in the final by a single goal back in 2008. Nwankwo Kanu was the scorer of the only goal in the 37th minute of that game, sending the Pompey faithful into raptures. While the FA Cup triumph itself was incredible, their starting team was even more astounding, and we answer the question: where are they now?
David James
A good goalkeeper? Maybe. A good pundit? Not even close. Image source: Twitter.
Glen Johnson
From Chelsea to Portsmouth to Liverpool to Stoke, sounds like the natural order of things. Image source: Twitter.
Sol Campbell
He is retired now but could probably still do a job at the back for Arsenal. Image source: Twitter.
Sylvain Distin
Played for Bournemouth until last season, currently unattached. Image source: Twitter.
Hermann Hreidarsson
Finished his playing career with Icelandic side Fylkir, whom he now manages. Image source: Twitter.
Lassana Diarra
A superb midfielder that is currently unattached after he was released by Marseille this year. Image source: Twitter.
John Utaka
Played for 11 teams throughout his career, and somehow managed to be in Portsmouth when they won the FA Cup. Currently enjoying retirement. Image source: Twitter.
Pedro Mendes
Hung up his boots five years ago to focus on growing top quality hair. Image source: Twitter.
Niko Kranjcar
Played for New York Cosmos recently before swapping to the sunny shores of Scotland with Rangers. Image source: Twitter.
Sulley Muntari
Spent one season with Portsmouth and won the cup. Currently playing with Italian side Pescara. Image source: Twitter.
Nwankwo Kanu
A big game player for Pompey who played his last professional game of football with the club. Image source: Twitter.
Jamie Ashdown
Played his last game for Oxford in 2015 before signing off on a 17-year career, apparently. Image source: Twitter.
Noe Pamarot
Finished his career with Hercules in 2014. Image source: Twitter.
Papa Bouba Diop
A tank of a man that sadly retired back in 2013. Image Source: Getty Images.
Milan Baros
Even at 35-years-old, Baros is still playing for Czech side Slovan Liberec. Image Source: Twitter
David Nugent
The 31-year-old is currently battling for a play-off spot with Derby County. Image source: Twitter.
Portsmouth’s FA Cup-winning team was a who’s who of superb talent. The likes of Kanu and Baros tore Premier League defences apart for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, while Diarra was poached to become a Galacticos with Real Madrid.
With the final almost ten years ago, many of the players have gone on to retire, some have started on a path into management, while others obviously just don’t know when to quit. Since then, Pompey have seen their fortunes plummet, with a place in the Premier League a long way off, as they currently sit in League Two.
What their fans would give to bring back their FA Cup-winning team, something that unfortunately won’t happen. However, they can rest easy in their beds knowing that their names can never be taken off the winner’s list of the FA Cup.
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