England Squad Depth Called 'Absurd' - Welsh Boss Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: Wales vs England
Venue: London's Wembley, the capital Date: October 9th Kick-off: 19:45 BST
The Wales head coach says England's player pool is remarkable that matchmakers would not match them with the Welsh team.
Bellamy's men meet their neighbors in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday before their important qualifying match against Belgium next Monday.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has omitted the such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from his squad for the match against Wales and their World Cup qualifier against the Latvian team.
"The English have a incredible squad, like the French," Bellamy remarked.
"England have a market valuation of 1.4 billion pounds, Wales' is 170 million. Were you a fight promoter, you would not put us together. It wouldn't be allowed."
He says making sure Wales can compete with the talented rivals is a "key motivation".
Bellamy added: "Our team don't go off market prices, but the reality is England don't just have a single lineup. They have multiple and France and others have the same level. They have many top talents and that's a fact."
"One right-back went out with injury the recently and there's only 24 more to choose from! They have over sixty footballers. I'd love Wales to be stacked similarly."
The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 tournament 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 Tuchel, a European and world club winner at the London club who has won league championships in Ligue 1 and his native Germany.
The Welsh boss was formerly an assistant at Anderlecht and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
"He's an incredible manager - his record is proven," Bellamy noted.
"I have a degree of insight because the club he left I know individuals who have gone in there. I get a glimpse from that of his methods and it's very impressive. "
"His tactical detail is top level and I aimed to be up against such a challenge - see how we adjust because he adapts too. I can learn from it. I'd love to reach that level."
Wales Team List
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (the Toffees).
Backline: Cabango (Swansea City), Dasilva (Coventry City), B. Davies (Spurs), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff), Chris Mepham (West Brom), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Forest).
Midfield: Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester City - loaned by Rennes), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), Harry Wilson (Fulham), J. Colwill (Cardiff), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff).
Attackers: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford United), Koumas (Birmingham City - loaned by Liverpool), Brennan Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City).
