England Squad Strength Called 'Absurd' - Welsh Manager Craig Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: England v Wales
Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: October 9th Kick-off: 19:45 BST
The Wales head coach says England's squad depth is remarkable that matchmakers would not match them with the Welsh team.
Bellamy's men face their neighbors in a friendly at the national stadium on Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next Monday.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has omitted the likes of Jude Bellingham, Foden and Jack Grealish out of his selection for the match against Wales and their qualifying game against Latvia.
"England have a ridiculous squad, like France," Bellamy remarked.
"England have a market valuation of £1.4bn, Wales' is 170 million. Were you a boxing promoter, you wouldn't match us up. That wouldn't be permitted."
Bellamy says making sure Wales can face the talented rivals is a "driving force".
Bellamy continued: "We don't go off market prices, but the reality is England don't just have a single lineup. They have two, three, four and the French and other nations have the same level. They have many top talents and that's a fact."
"A defender went out injured the recently and there are two dozen others to go! They have 60-odd players. I wish us to be stacked similarly."
The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when the English emerged as comfortable victors in a group match before the previous England team made it to the quarter-finals.
The new manager is Tuchel, a Champions League and world club champion at Chelsea who has won league championships in France and his home country.
Bellamy was previously an coach at the Belgian side and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded him at Bayern Munich.
"He's an incredible coach - his achievements is proven," Bellamy added.
"I possess 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 wanted to be facing such a challenge - see how we adjust because he adapts too. I will get to learn from it. I aspire to reach that level."
Wales Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds), Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (the Toffees).
Backline: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Rodon (Leeds), Williams (Nottingham Forest).
Midfield: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester City - on loan from Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke), Harry Wilson (the Cottagers), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - loaned by Liverpool), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City).
