Three Lions Squad Depth Called 'Absurd' - Welsh Manager Bellamy
- Published
Friendly match: Wales vs England
Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Craig Bellamy states the English squad depth is remarkable that a boxing promoter wouldn't pair them against his Wales side.
Bellamy's men meet England in a friendly at the national stadium on Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium next the following week.
National team coach Tuchel has left the likes of Jude Bellingham, Foden and Grealish out of his selection for the Wales friendly and their qualifying game against Latvia.
"England have a incredible squad, like the French," Bellamy remarked.
"England have a market valuation of 1.4 billion pounds, ours is £170m. If you were a fight promoter, you would not put us together. That wouldn't be permitted."
Bellamy explains making sure Wales can face the talented rivals is a "key motivation".
Bellamy added: "We don't go off values, but the reality is they don't just have a single lineup. They have multiple and the French and others have the same level. England have loads of great players and that's the honest truth."
"A defender was ruled out injured the other day and there's only 24 more to choose from! They've got over sixty footballers. I'd love us to be well-equipped like them."
The neighbouring countries last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in the Middle East, when the English emerged as easy 3-0 winners in a fixture before the previous England team made it to the quarter-finals.
Southgate's successor is Thomas Tuchel, a European and world club champion at the London club who has won league championships in Ligue 1 and his native Germany.
The Welsh boss was previously an assistant 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," he added.
"I possess some sort of understanding because the club he left I am familiar with individuals who have joined. I get a bit of an insight from that of his methods and it's remarkable. "
"His strategic planning is elite and I wanted to be up against such a challenge - observe how we adjust because he adapts too. I will get to learn from that. I aspire to reach that level."
Welsh Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (Everton).
Backline: Cabango (Swansea City), Dasilva (Coventry City), B. Davies (Spurs), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Brom), Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester - on loan from Rennes), Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), H. Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), R. Colwill (Cardiff City).
Attackers: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - on loan from Liverpool), Johnson (Spurs), Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City).
