As anticipation builds for the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, cultured midfielder Yohan Cabaye sat down with List Of Sweepstakes Casinos and discusses his experiences of playing in the Wembley showpiece with Palace in 2016, a tie that they would heartbreakingly lose to Manchester United in extra time. He gives his thoughts on Alan Pardew’s infamous dance celebration when Jason Puncheon fired Palace into the lead and explains why his old club could cause an upset on Saturday.
2016 FA Cup final
Question: You were part of the Palace team who lost to Man Utd in the final back in 2016. Joel Ward only remaining player from that day. Will he tell his teammates what it was like being on the losing side – and never wanting to feel that again.
Yohan Cabaye: Yeah, of course. Joel has an important role for the club. He is a proper leader. His experience will be really important, for him and for his teammates
He’s the only player from the 2016 final who is still there, so I hope and I think that he doesn’t want to go through another defeat. He won’t want to feel that pain again.
Q: Did you think that when Jason Puncheon scored, they would go out and seal the game?
Yohan Cabaye: Of course, when Jason Puncheon scored the first goal for us in the FA Cup final against Manchester United, we all thought it was of course an important goal.
If I’m not wrong, it was in extra time, and so we thought OK, the game is going to go our way. Unfortunately, against a club like Manchester United, the game’s not over until it’s over, and they had experience in big matches that perhaps we didn’t have.
For us, it was a disappointment. But when Punch scored, obviously we were thinking, OK, the cup is ours!
Q: What did you make of Pardew’s celebration (in the 2016 FA Cup final)
Yohan Cabaye: Afterwards, the players saw the celebration. It was typical from the coach, the gaffer. When it mattered, he was always really focused, but when he had to express himself it was just how he would express it in the moment.
It’s his personality. It was nice working with him. The first six months we had with him were really good, we got up to fifth on Boxing Day.
The second half of the season, I’m not sure why but it was so hard to find wins in the Premier League, but in the FA Cup, we just kept winning all the way to the final.
Alan was a really emotional manager, more instinctive, and I really enjoyed working with him.
2025 FA Cup Final
Q: What can Palace do to overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup Final?
Yohan Cabaye: In my view, they will need to be tactically disciplined, they will have to be really compact defensively against Manchester City.
They will have to take every chance they get, because City are a really strong side, a really talented team.
But Crystal Palace have shown that they can cause them problems already in the league this season, so they have a chance.
Q: What do you make of the Crystal Palace side in the final now?
Yohan Cabaye: It’s going to be a very good game against Manchester City. Very good. A final is always a special game, a special moment for players.
With Eze, Wharton and Guehi there are three really talented players, but there’s also Jean-Philippe Mateta, who looks like he’s really confident at the moment.
I think with Mateta, if he plays as he has done recently, then he could be the main man when it comes to playing against Manchester City.
Q: Players like Eze and Guehi could leave this summer. How much does it feel like now or never for Palace and this group of players?
Yohan Cabaye: In some ways, yes, but there is a lot of pressure Manchester City to win this season because they have to win a trophy this season. For Palace, there are a lot of players are at their peak, so it’s a rare, but golden opportunity for them to win something.
But in finals, it’s always difficult, and in 2016 we didn’t manage it. We saw that experience is really important in these kinds of games.
Of course, Manchester City have a lot more experience than Palace, but Palace are a tough side, and they won’t shrink away – they definitely have a chance.
Q: How different a personality does Glasner seem to Pardew?
Yohan Cabaye: When it comes to Alan Pardew and Oliver Glasner, the two managers obvious have very different styles when it comes to the game.
I’ve said before, Alan is more instinctive and emotional in how he managed the players when I was at Newcastle and Crystal Palace.
Glasner, I’d say, is more methodical and tactical in his approach.
Q: How does the current team compare with 2016? Who are the key men and why?
Yohan Cabaye: I’d say the 2016 side had better individuals. We had Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie on the wings, after all.
The team today is probably more balanced, and they’re collectively more solid as well compared to where we were.
In terms of quality, it’s hard to compare, because we had a very good team that season. We had togetherness, and a strong team spirit. I can’t comment for sure on the current team, but they seem to be playing for each other as well.
Of course, tactically, the system is different from then and now.
Q: Palace took the lead twice against City this season. How wary will Guardiola be of the threat posed by Palace?
Yohan Cabaye: I think Pep Guardiola is always focused, no matter what, on how he can beat his opponent and put them under pressure in the match.
He might be thinking about how Crystal Palace have caused his side problems this season, having been in front in both matches, and for sure, it won’t be easy for City.
But I’m not sure Guardiola will be afraid – that’s a strong word. I think he’ll be focused and more than aware that the game won’t be easy.
Q: Which Palace players do City need to be wary of? They have already shown they can hurt City.
Yohan Cabaye: I think the main threat is up front for Crystal Palace, obviously, I’d have to go for Eberechi Eze. But he’s not the only player that Guardiola will need to worry about.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is in good form, he’s having a really good run at the moment.
As well as that, Ismaila Sarr is an important part of the front three, for me, so it could be a really important factor in the game. It’s really interesting.
Q: Do you think Palace fans deserve a trophy after going so long without one, as Newcastle did?
Yohan Cabaye: I would say yes, the fans deserve to see the club win the FA Cup. I love the fans, I love the club. They’ve been in the Premier League for a long time now, and they’ve done well to establish themselves in the top flight.
It’s a big achievement in itself to stay in the Premier League and to keep improving, year after year. We can recognise that they’re an attractive place now for players to come, and that they’re strong in the league right now.
That’s important, of course, but at the end of the day, the fans want a trophy, and I hope it will come for them this weekend, even if it’s a really difficult game against Manchester City, a really tough game.
Crystal Palace
Q: The likes of Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have all been linked with moves away from your former club Palace, which PL teams could you see the trio signing for?
Yohan Cabaye: Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and Marc Guehi – those three players are really excellent.
I think Crystal Palace is a very good club, but teams like Chelsea and Newcastle could be huge options for them, but I also think that clubs such as Tottenham and Aston Villa could be interested in these players.
Palace, of course, deserve credit for discovering players who are so talented, and giving them the platform to shine in the Premier League.
I think Michael Olise, who was at Palace last year and is now impressing at Bayern Munich, is another example of the players they find and the level they can reach.
Q: How much have you watched Adam Wharton and, with the qualities you had during your playing days, where does he see Wharton going in his career?
Yohan Cabaye: It’s hard to say just how high Adam Wharton can go, but he’s definitely a really good player. What I like about him is that he’s really talented. In the future, Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I could see him being one of the top players for the future. He’s already an England international.
I wouldn’t like to compare him to myself exactly, but in terms of a box-to-box midfielder, I really like how clever he is. Technically he’s very good, and what’s important for right now is that he’s in great form for Crystal Palace.
Q: How important is Ebere Eze, and do you think Palace can keep hold of him?
Yohan Cabaye: If he’s going to be persuaded to stay, then he will have to believe in the club as a project, and that they are the right place for him to develop and improve.
There is maybe one more year when there’s room for him to grow as a player at Palace. It’s an environment he knows and enjoys.
Newcastle
Q: What signings do Newcastle need to become genuine title challengers next season?
Yohan Cabaye: Next season, Newcastle will probably need a bigger squad if they’re going to challenge for the title and also play in the Champions League.
They will need to improve the depth of the squad, and a player like Bryan Mbeumo, why not? He can bring energy to their attacking options.
I think Kevin De Bruyne is one of the players who is just in a different class in the Premier League. Even at 33 he still can be decisive. So yeah, it would be a massive signing.
I think [Eddie Howe] showed that he can elevate the club. I like him as a manager. He is the right man to bring Newcastle even higher, but the Premier League is tough. And you need to have a big squad.
Q: Is keeping Isak and Bruno Guimaraes a must?
Yohan Cabaye: It would be a big loss for Newcastle United to lose either of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes. Isak’s important because he scores so many goals.
Bruno, too, as we’ve seen recently and throughout the season, can be a goal threat too.
I hope they keep both of them because the ambition of the project is clear, and they will have the Champions League again next season, almost certainly.
Of course it would be a tough loss. Isak scores goals but so does Bruno as well, as we saw on Sunday.
Sandro Tonali is also linked with a move away, but I’m not sure if Newcastle have to sell someone. I know that every club has to take into account issues of money, but I’m not sure the club will need to sell anyone.
Tonali, too, is a really good player, really important. Maybe he’ll want to return to his country at some point, but if they keep all these players for next season, it’s a really positive step.
Q: Are Arsenal in dreamland if they think they can sign Isak this summer?
Yohan Cabaye: Isak is probably the ideal signing as a striker, but it would be a huge blow for Newcastle to lose him.
I think it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal to sign him, because Newcastle will do everything they can to keep him, and I think they have to do everything they can to keep him.
But definitely, it would be a fantastic coup for Arsenal if they sign Isak.
It would be a huge blow (if Newcastle lost him). It will be difficult for Arsenal to sign him ecause I think that Newcastle will do everything to keep him or in my opinion must do everything to keep him. But he would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal.
Q: What makes Newcastle fans so special?
Yohan Cabaye: I think the first time I played for the club after I moved, it was in a friendly against Darlington. So, it was about 40 minutes away from Newcastle.
It was just a friendly game, and I was on the bench. The first one of pre-season, and I saw 6,000 fans from Newcastle in the stadium.
The gaffer was in the seat just in front of me and he turned to me and said, ‘I bet you didn’t expect this. This is England, this is Newcastle.’
I said, ‘Wow.’
It was crazy, so that showed me right away how important the fans are for the club, how passionate they are. It was just fantastic, and then I found out how loud they are at St James’ Park. It was unbelievable, the noise.
I came back for a youth league game and for a Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain, and I think I’d never heard noise like it on that occasion. It was unbelievable.
Q: How did you feel when Arsenal’s bid for you was rejected?
Yohan Cabaye: When Arsenal bid for me, it was flattering for sure, and then the bid got turned down. There was a little bit of sadness and frustration, for sure. At first, I didn’t understand why Newcastle didn’t want to sit and talk about the deal, but after it passed, I just left my frustration behind.
I went back to work and gave my best for the club. It was their decision and I had to respect it, but at first it wasn’t easy.
There wasn’t another Premier League side I’d wanted to play for apart from Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is one of the best managers in football history. I had the chance to speak to him a couple of times, and he’s always inspiring. I’m glad that he’s French! His vision and knowledge is priceless.
Q: Is Jean-Philippe Mateta an ideal replacement for Newcastle United if they lose Alexander Isak?
Yohan Cabaye: Both Alexander Isak and Jean-Philippe Mateta are two very good strikers, but they’re quite different, they’re not too similar.
Mateta seems to be stronger than Isak physically, whereas Isak is a little more technically skillful.
I would say, though, they’re both clinical in the box, they finish well, and score some fantastic goals for their clubs.
It’s hard for me to say more, because I don’t want Isak to leave Newcastle, and I don’t want Mateta to leave Palace – they’re both my old clubs.
Premier League headlines
Q: Who will get that last Champions League spot?
Yohan Cabaye: I think that the fixture list could be decisive. I think Chelsea will have a tough time. They’ve got Manchester United and then they have to go to Nottingham Forest on the last day of the season, and then the Conference League final to take into account.
It’s hard to be sure about who is going to get those last Champions League spots. It’s easier in some ways to say Aston Villa, because they play Tottenham, who will be focused on the Europa League. Nottingham Forest have West Ham, and Chelsea.
Chelsea’s task is even harder because Nicolas Jackson got sent off and will be suspended, and Christopher Nkunku has an injury, and he’s not been at his best this season anyway. They definitely have to win against Manchester United.
Q: Who will be Liverpool’s biggest challengers next season?
Yohan Cabaye: I would say Arsenal still. They will want to keep improving and keep developing the football in their side. I would say Manchester City, because I don’t think that Guardiola will repeat this kind of season. They will be ready for next season. So yeah, probably those two and maybe Chelsea. But it depends on the vision of the club at Stamford Bridge.
For City, I think there was maybe a lack of depth in some areas, so the Rodri injury cost them. Maybe there was a little bit of mental fatigue after so many years of success.
But I think Guardiola can turn it around again, absolutely. For me, he has shown that he can renew cycles for teams and stay competitive. I have no doubt about his chances.
Q: Who are the best midfielders in the league this season, and who is the very best?
Yohan Cabaye: Bruno Guimaraes is one, Declan Rice, and Cole Palmer could be considered a midfielder too. At Liverpool, there’s Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
If I had to pick the very best, I’d have to go for Rodri, but he’s injured, so maybe Cole Palmer right now.
I wouldn’t compare him directly to Eden Hazard, but what they have in common is that everything seems easy for them on the pitch.
He’s really talented technically, and he scores important goals and contributes assists too. He can dribble past players too, and I think he wanted to play, so he was willing to move from Manchester City to Chelsea. That makes me think he’s a special player.
Q: Why have Arsenal struggled so much this season?
Yohan Cabaye: It’s hard to say exactly why, but perhaps they suffered most from the injury to their attackers: Gabriel Jesus, and then Kai Havertz have been out injured for big parts of the season.
Missing those two players will have hurt them, and apart from that, they’ve played well with the game plan they have from Mikel Arteta.
They also have brought through and bought a lot of youngsters, so maybe they have suffered from a lack of experience this year. If they keep working hard though, the talent is there, and I think they will have success soon.
Q: Is Ruben Amorim the right man for Man Utd?
Yohan Cabaye: I liked him when he was at Sporting Lisbon. Coming to a club in mid-season, it’s never easy, but I’m sure that he can improve the squad.
It’s still a top club, both in the world and in England. It’s hard to say. Some of their players are good, very good, but they still have to improve the squad.
And I hope only one thing, that Manchester United will be back at the top in the Premier League and Europe soon.
Q: Which PL side would you like to see Zidane manage?
Yohan Cabaye: I would say that Zinedine Zidane is the type of person that can change everything, you know, from dark to light, he is this type of person on Earth that everything he can do, he will succeed. That’s my opinion.
I’m not sure he would want to come to England, but if he did, I’m sure he would succeed.
European football
Q: Do you think Tottenham or Manchester United will win the Europa League?
Yohan Cabaye: If we talk in terms of experience, then I would say that Manchester United have the edge in that respect in terms of playing in finals.
But really, both clubs have struggled this season in the Premier League, so it’s interesting to see how things turn out.
I think, though, if United are able to play close to their best and have a full squad to pick from then for me, yes, they’re the favourites.
Q: Do you think defeat would cost Ange Postecoglou his job?
Yohan Cabaye: For Ange Postecoglou, it’s hard to know what the consequences would be of defeat, because I’m not sure what the chairman is thinking.
This season has been a tough one for Tottenham, so perhaps the board will give him a little more time, it’s probably what he deserves.
Q: What do you make of Xabi Alonso going to Real Madrid and Ancelotti taking over at Brazil?
Yohan Cabaye: I think Xabi Alonso has already shown that he’s a talented manager. In the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, he showed that he’s one of the best managers in Europe right now.
As well as that, he knows Real Madrid. He’s played for them, so he knows the club well.
I’m really curious to see how it works out for him, I’m really interested to see how Xabi’s going to match up at Real.
Carlo Ancelotti can definitely do well with Brazil. I think he is one of the greatest managers, though unfortunately this season was a tough one for him.
Maybe the move away from club football to international football will suit him well. He’ll be able to go to Brazil and work with the talented players they have there.
This might suit his style of management well, and it could be a good fit for him.
It could be an advantage for him that he’s worked with players like Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Vinicius Jr. already at Real, but he adapts everywhere he goes. Germany, France, Spain, England, so it’ll be the same in Brazil too.
Transfer rumours
Q: Ian Wright has suggested that Newcastle target Marcus Rashford this summer. Could you see that happening?
Yohan Cabaye: Well, for me, Rashford is a very good player, he’s at a high level. It depends on what Manchester United has in mind with him, and also if he’s looking for a new challenge. Newcastle could be a really interesting option for him.The good thing is he can play on both wings and, as well as a number nine, so. I’m not quite sure because it also depends on Alexander Isak. What is he gonna do?
We know that it will be a tough call for Newcastle, and any move for Rashford will depend on that as well.
Q: Should Pogba be an option at the Club World Cup?
Yohan Cabaye: I’m not sure that the Club World Cup is the right place for Paul Pogba to attempt his comeback. He’s not played for a while now, so I think it’s not the right time for him.
I’m not certain that a move to the Premier League would be the right move for Pogba, and it’s a really demanding league in terms of fitness, effort and intensity. It could be difficult for him.
Of course, if Pogba does find his form once more, then he can be a really good leader for any side.
Q: Do you think Mateta would suit Man Utd?
Yohan Cabaye: When Jean-Philippe Mateta was playing in France, I didn’t really know him to be honest. I think he came through as a youngster at Lyon, and beyond that I’m not too sure about his development in Ligue 1.
I think he deserves credit, because it’s his work ethic that has brought him here, by working every day.
He totally deserves how far he has come, and I think perhaps his move to Mainz helped him to kick on and show that he’s a really good striker.
So to play for Manchester United, I mean, he’s a really good striker. When I’ve seen him play, he seems like a real leader. It was the same when he was at the Olympics with France. He drives the team on, and he does the same for Palace.
To play for United, you need that kind of personality, and maybe that little something extra. But what he shows on the pitch, 14 goals in the Premier League, that means something.
Q: Do you think William Saliba has what it takes to play for Real Madrid?
Yohan Cabaye: William improves after every match, he’s improving one season after the next. What’s great about him is that he’s so serene.
He has a real physical presence, too, so I think he would fit in well at Real Madrid.
International football
Q: What do you make of England’s chances of beating France to the World Cup in 2026?
Yohan Cabaye: England have got a top generation. A good squad, a very strong team, and now they are close to winning a trophy.
If they come up against France, it’ll be a tight game, but I still believe in France even if I think it’ll be tough to separate the two.
When it comes to Thomas Tuchel, his leadership is one of a kind. He can bring a team together and drive them on to reach the objectives he gives them.
He’s got the knowledge, he has the time to travel the country and watch all the players, and I think he can make this a success.
Q: Why do England struggle at international tournaments?
Yohan Cabaye: I’m not sure why the two countries have such different fortunes. It’s something that comes up before every major tournament.
Since I’ve been involved in football, every tournament England play in, they’re one of the favourites. Unfortunately they’ve not got over the line yet.
I was involved with France in 2012, 2014, 2016, and there was an improvement in each squad, and the mentality was right to go and reach the final in 2016.
Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but we definitely had a sense of togetherness. While England are very good too, I’m not sure, but France’s mentality was definitely united.
