England Squad Strength Labelled 'Absurd' - Welsh Boss Bellamy
- Published
International friendly: Wales vs England
Venue: London's Wembley, the capital Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Craig Bellamy says England's squad depth is remarkable that matchmakers wouldn't match them against the Welsh team.
The Welsh squad face their neighbors in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Belgium next Monday.
National team coach Tuchel has left the likes of Bellingham, Foden and Jack Grealish out of his squad for the match against Wales and their World Cup qualifier against the Latvian team.
"The English have a incredible team, similar to the French," the coach remarked.
"They have a market valuation of £1.4bn, ours is 170 million. Were you a fight promoter, you would not match us up. It wouldn't be allowed."
He explains ensuring Wales can compete with the star-studded opponents is a "key motivation".
The Wales head coach continued: "We don't go off market prices, but the simple fact is they don't just have a single lineup. They have multiple and France and others have the same level. England have many top talents and that's the honest truth."
"One right-back went out with injury the other day and there's only two dozen others to go! They've got 60-odd footballers. I wish Wales to be stacked like them."
The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when England ran out easy 3-0 winners in a group match before the previous England team reached the quarter-finals.
The new manager is Tuchel, a Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup winner at Chelsea who has claimed league championships in France and his native Germany.
Bellamy was formerly an coach at Anderlecht and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who replaced him at the German giants.
"He's an incredible coach - his achievements is proven," he added.
"I have a degree of understanding because the team he departed I am familiar with individuals who have joined. 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 facing such a challenge - observe how we adjust because he adapts too. I will get to learn from it. I'd love to get to such heights."
Wales Squad List
Keepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (the Toffees).
Backline: Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), B. Davies (Spurs), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff), Mepham (West Brom), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Williams (Forest).
Midfielders: Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester City - loaned by Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (the Cottagers), J. Colwill (Cardiff), R. Colwill (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea), Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham City - on loan from the Reds), Brennan Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City).