Three Lions Squad Strength Called 'Absurd' - Wales Manager Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: Wales vs England
Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: October 9th Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Craig Bellamy states the English player pool is remarkable that a boxing promoter wouldn't match them with his Wales side.
Bellamy's men face England in a friendly at Wembley on this Thursday before their important qualifying match against the Belgians next the following week.
National team coach Thomas Tuchel has omitted the such as Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish out of his selection for the Wales friendly and their World Cup qualifier against the Latvian team.
"The English have a ridiculous squad, similar to France," Bellamy said.
"They have a market valuation of £1.4bn, Wales' is £170m. Were you a fight promoter, you wouldn't put us together. It wouldn't be allowed."
Bellamy says ensuring Wales can compete with the star-studded opponents is a "driving force".
The Wales head coach added: "We do not rely on values, but the reality is England have more than one team. They have two, three, four and France and others are similarly stacked. England have many great players and that's a fact."
"One right-back went out injured the other day and there's only two dozen others to choose from! They have over sixty players. I'd love Wales to be well-equipped similarly."
The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 tournament in the Middle East, when England emerged as easy victors in a fixture before Gareth Southgate's side reached the quarter-finals.
Southgate's successor is Tuchel, a Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup winner at the London club who has claimed league championships in France and his native Germany.
Bellamy was previously an assistant at the Belgian side and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded him at Bayern Munich.
"He's an outstanding manager - his achievements speak for themselves," he added.
"I possess a degree of understanding because the club he left I know individuals who have joined. I get a glimpse there of how he works and it's remarkable. "
"His tactical detail is top level and I wanted to be facing that - observe how we adjust because he adapts too. I will get to learn from that. I aspire to reach that level."
Wales Squad Selection
Keepers: Darlow (Leeds United), Davies (Sheffield United), King (the Toffees).
Backline: Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Ben Davies (Spurs), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff), Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Forest).
Midfield: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (Bournemouth), J. James (Leicester City - on loan from Rennes), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), H. Wilson (the Cottagers), J. Colwill (Cardiff), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham - on loan from the Reds), Brennan Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff City).
