Three Lions Team Strength Called 'Ridiculous' - Welsh Manager Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: England v Wales
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Craig Bellamy says England's player pool is remarkable that matchmakers would not pair them against his Wales side.
The Welsh squad face their neighbors in a non-competitive match at the national stadium on Thursday before their important World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next the following week.
England manager Tuchel has omitted the likes of Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish out of his squad for the match against Wales and their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
"England have a incredible squad, like the French," the coach remarked.
"England have a transfer market value of £1.4bn, Wales' is 170 million. Were you a fight promoter, you would not match us up. It wouldn't be allowed."
He explains making sure Wales can compete with the talented rivals is a "driving force".
The Wales head coach added: "Our team do not rely on values, but the reality is they have more than one team. They possess 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's only 24 more to choose from! They've got 60-odd footballers. I'd love us to be well-equipped like them."
These two nations last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when the English emerged as comfortable 3-0 winners in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side made it to the last eight.
Southgate's successor is Thomas Tuchel, a Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup winner at Chelsea who has won league championships in France and his home country.
Bellamy was previously an coach at the Belgian side and Burnley to Kompany, who replaced him at Bayern Munich.
"He's an outstanding coach - his achievements is proven," Bellamy noted.
"I possess a degree of insight because the club he left I know individuals who have joined. I get a glimpse there of his methods and it's very impressive. "
"His tactical detail is elite and I wanted to be facing that - see how we adjust because he will. I will get to learn from that. I aspire to reach such heights."
Wales Team Selection
Keepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (the Toffees).
Defenders: Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Ben Davies (Spurs), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).
Midfield: Ampadu (Leeds United), Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester - on loan from Stade Rennais), Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke City), H. Wilson (Fulham), J. Colwill (Cardiff), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford United), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - on loan from Liverpool), Johnson (Spurs), Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff).
