England Team Depth Called 'Ridiculous' - Wales Manager Bellamy
- Published
Friendly match: Wales vs England
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Craig Bellamy says the English squad depth is remarkable that a boxing promoter wouldn't pair them with the Welsh team.
Bellamy's men meet their neighbors in a non-competitive match at Wembley on this Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium next the following week.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has left the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Grealish from his squad for the Wales friendly and their qualifying game against Latvia.
"England have a ridiculous squad, like France," the coach remarked.
"England have a market valuation of £1.4bn, Wales' is 170 million. If you were a boxing promoter, you would not match us up. That wouldn't be permitted."
He explains making sure the Welsh team can compete with the talented rivals is a "driving force".
Bellamy continued: "We don't go off values, but the reality is England don't just have one team. They have two, three, four and the French and others have the same level. England have many top talents and that's a fact."
"A defender was ruled out injured the recently and there are two dozen others to go! They have over sixty players. I'd love us to be stacked similarly."
The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when the English ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in a group match before the previous England team made it to the last eight.
Southgate's successor is Thomas Tuchel, a Champions League and world club champion at the London club who has won league championships in France and his home country.
The Welsh boss was previously an assistant at Anderlecht and Burnley to Vincent Kompany, who replaced him at the German giants.
"Tuchel's an outstanding coach - his record is proven," Bellamy added.
"I possess some sort of insight because the team he departed I know individuals who have joined. I get a glimpse there of how he works and it's remarkable. "
"His tactical detail is elite and I wanted to be facing such a challenge - observe how you're going to adapt because he adapts too. I will get to learn from that. I'd love to reach that level."
Wales Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (Everton).
Defenders: Cabango (Swansea), Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Kpakio (Cardiff), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Brom), Rodon (Leeds), Williams (Forest).
Midfielders: Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester - loaned by Rennes), Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), H. Wilson (the Cottagers), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff).
Attackers: Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Cullen (Swansea), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham City - loaned by Liverpool), Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City).
