Three Lions Squad Strength Labelled 'Absurd' - Welsh Boss Craig Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: England v Wales
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: October 9th Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
The Wales head coach states the English player pool is so impressive that a boxing promoter would not pair them against the Welsh team.
Bellamy's men face England in a non-competitive match at the national stadium on this Thursday before their important World Cup qualifier against Belgium next Monday.
National team coach Tuchel has left the likes of Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from his squad for the match against Wales and their qualifying game against Latvia.
"England have a incredible team, similar to France," Bellamy remarked.
"They have a market valuation of £1.4bn, Wales' is £170m. Were you a boxing promoter, you would not match us up. That wouldn't be permitted."
He explains ensuring Wales can face the star-studded rivals is a "driving force".
The Wales head coach added: "Our team don't go off market prices, but the simple fact is they have more than a single lineup. They have two, three, four and the French and other nations have the same level. England have many top talents and that's the honest truth."
"One right-back was ruled out with injury the recently and there are two dozen others to choose from! They've got over sixty footballers. I wish us to be well-equipped similarly."
The neighbouring countries last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in the Middle East, when England emerged as comfortable victors in a group match before the previous England team reached the quarter-finals.
The new manager is Tuchel, a Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup winner at the London club who has claimed league championships in Ligue 1 and his home country.
The Welsh boss was formerly an coach at Anderlecht and Burnley to Kompany, who replaced him at the German giants.
"Tuchel's an incredible coach - his record is proven," he noted.
"I possess some sort of insight because the team he departed I am familiar with individuals who have joined. I gain a bit of an insight from that of his methods and it's very impressive. "
"His strategic planning is top level and I aimed to be facing such a challenge - observe how we adjust because he will. I can learn from that. I aspire to reach such heights."
Welsh Team List
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds), Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (Everton).
Backline: Ben Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), B. Davies (Spurs), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (the Cherries), Jordan James (Leicester City - loaned by Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Thomas (Stoke City), H. Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Cullen (Swansea), Mark Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham City - loaned by the Reds), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff).
