Three Lions Squad Strength Called 'Absurd' - Wales Manager Craig Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: Wales vs England
Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Craig Bellamy states the English squad depth is so impressive that a boxing promoter would not pair them against the Welsh team.
The Welsh squad face England in a non-competitive match at Wembley on this Thursday before their important World Cup qualifier against Belgium next the following week.
National team coach Tuchel has left the likes of Bellingham, Foden and Grealish from his selection for the Wales friendly and their qualifying game against Latvia.
"England have a incredible squad, like the French," Bellamy remarked.
"England have a market valuation of 1.4 billion pounds, ours is £170m. Were you a boxing promoter, you wouldn't match us up. It wouldn't be allowed."
He explains ensuring Wales can face the talented rivals is a "driving force".
Bellamy added: "We do not rely on values, but the simple fact is they have more than a single lineup. They possess multiple and France and other nations have the same level. England have many great players and that's a fact."
"One right-back went out with injury the other day and there's only two dozen others to choose from! They have over sixty players. I'd love Wales to be stacked similarly."
These two nations most recently met at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when England ran out comfortable victors in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side reached the last eight.
Southgate's successor is Tuchel, a Champions League and world club winner at the London club who has won domestic titles in France and his native Germany.
Bellamy was formerly an assistant at Anderlecht and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded him at the German giants.
"He's an incredible manager - his record speak for themselves," he noted.
"I have some sort of understanding because the club he left I am familiar with individuals who have joined. I gain a bit of an insight there of how he works and it's very impressive. "
"His strategic planning is top level and I aimed to be up against such a challenge - observe how you're going to adapt because he adapts too. I can learn from it. I aspire to get to such heights."
Welsh Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds), Davies (Sheffield Utd), Tom King (the Toffees).
Backline: Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), B. Davies (Spurs), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff), Chris Mepham (West Brom), Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Forest).
Midfielders: Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester - loaned by Rennes), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff), R. Colwill (Cardiff City).
Attackers: Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham City - loaned by the Reds), Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff).
