England Team Strength Labelled 'Ridiculous' - Welsh Manager Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: Wales vs England
Venue: London's Wembley, London Date: October 9th Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Craig Bellamy states England's squad depth is so impressive that matchmakers wouldn't match them against the Welsh team.
Bellamy's men face England in a non-competitive match at Wembley on this Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium next Monday.
National team coach Thomas Tuchel has omitted the such as Jude Bellingham, 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 France," Bellamy said.
"England have a transfer market value of 1.4 billion pounds, ours is ÂŁ170m. Were you a fight promoter, you wouldn't match us up. It wouldn't be allowed."
Bellamy says making sure the Welsh team can face the talented rivals is a "driving force".
Bellamy added: "We do not rely on market prices, but the simple fact is England have more than a single lineup. They have multiple and the French and other nations have the same level. They have many great players and that's a fact."
"A defender went out injured the other day and there's only two dozen others to choose from! They have 60-odd footballers. I wish Wales to be well-equipped similarly."
The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when England ran out easy victors in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side made it to the quarter-finals.
The new manager is Thomas Tuchel, a European and Fifa Club World Cup winner at Chelsea who has claimed domestic titles in France and his home country.
The Welsh boss was previously an coach at the Belgian side and the English club to Kompany, who succeeded him at the German giants.
"He's an incredible coach - his record is proven," Bellamy 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 top level and I wanted to be up against such a challenge - observe how you're going to adapt because he will. I can learn from it. I'd love to get to that level."
Wales Team Selection
Keepers: Darlow (Leeds), Davies (Sheffield Utd), Tom King (the Toffees).
Backline: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), B. Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Forest).
Midfield: Ampadu (Leeds United), Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester City - loaned by Stade Rennais), Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), H. Wilson (the Cottagers), J. Colwill (Cardiff), R. Colwill (Cardiff).
Attackers: Broadhead (Wrexham), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham City - on loan from the Reds), Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff).
