Three Lions Team Depth Called 'Absurd' - Wales Boss Craig Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: Wales vs England
Venue: London's Wembley, the capital Date: October 9th Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Craig Bellamy states the English squad depth is so impressive that matchmakers would not pair them with his Wales side.
Bellamy's men face England in a non-competitive match at the national stadium on Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next the following week.
England manager Tuchel has omitted the likes of Bellingham, Phil Foden and Grealish out of his squad for the match against Wales and their qualifying game against the Latvian team.
"England have a ridiculous team, similar to the French," Bellamy said.
"England have a market valuation of 1.4 billion pounds, Wales' is 170 million. Were you a boxing promoter, you would not match us up. That wouldn't be permitted."
He says ensuring Wales can compete with the star-studded rivals is a "driving force".
The Wales head coach added: "We don't go off market prices, but the reality is England don't just have a single lineup. They have multiple and the French and others have the same level. England have many great players and that's the honest truth."
"One right-back went out with injury the other day and there are two dozen others to choose from! They have 60-odd footballers. I'd love us to be stacked like them."
These two nations most recently met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when the English emerged as easy victors in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side made it to the last eight.
The new manager is Thomas Tuchel, a European and world club winner at Chelsea who has won domestic titles in Ligue 1 and his home country.
The Welsh boss was previously an coach at the Belgian side and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded him at the German giants.
"He's an outstanding manager - his achievements is proven," Bellamy added.
"I have some sort of understanding because the team he departed I know people who have gone in there. I gain a glimpse there of his methods and it's very impressive. "
"His tactical detail is elite and I wanted to be up against such a challenge - observe how you're going to adapt because he will. I will get to learn from it. I aspire to reach such heights."
Wales Team List
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd), Tom King (the Toffees).
Defenders: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Kpakio (Cardiff), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Mepham (West Brom), Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Forest).
Midfield: Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester City - loaned by Stade Rennais), Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke City), H. Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), R. Colwill (Cardiff).
Attackers: Nathan Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Liam Cullen (Swansea), Mark Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - on loan from Liverpool), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff).
