Three Lions Squad Strength Called 'Absurd' - Wales Manager Bellamy
- Published
Friendly match: Wales vs England
Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: October 9th Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
The Wales head coach states England's player pool is remarkable that matchmakers would not match them with the Welsh team.
The Welsh squad face their neighbors in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next the following week.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has omitted the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Grealish from his squad for the match against Wales and their World Cup qualifier against the Latvian team.
"The English have a ridiculous team, like France," Bellamy said.
"England have a market valuation of £1.4bn, ours is 170 million. If you were a boxing promoter, you wouldn't put us together. That wouldn't be permitted."
Bellamy explains making sure Wales can compete with the talented rivals is a "driving force".
Bellamy added: "We do not rely on market prices, but the reality is they have more than one team. They possess two, three, four and France and others have the same level. They have many top talents and that's the honest truth."
"A defender was ruled out injured the other day and there's only two dozen others to choose from! They have over sixty footballers. I'd love us to be well-equipped similarly."
The neighbouring countries last faced each other at the 2022 World Cup in the Middle East, when England ran out easy 3-0 winners in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side reached the last eight.
Southgate's successor is Tuchel, a European and world club champion at the London club who has claimed domestic titles in France and his native Germany.
The Welsh boss was previously an coach at the Belgian side and Burnley to Kompany, who replaced Tuchel at the German giants.
"Tuchel's an incredible manager - his record is proven," Bellamy added.
"I have some sort of insight because the team he departed I am familiar with people who have joined. I get a glimpse from that of how he works and it's remarkable. "
"His tactical detail is top level and I aimed to be facing that - observe how you're going to adapt because he will. I will get to learn from that. I'd love to get to such heights."
Wales Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), King (Everton).
Backline: Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), B. Davies (Spurs), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Forest).
Midfield: Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester - on loan from Rennes), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Thomas (Stoke), H. Wilson (the Cottagers), Joel Colwill (Cardiff), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff).
Forwards: Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea), Mark Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham City - loaned by the Reds), Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff).
