England Squad Strength Labelled 'Absurd' - Welsh Boss Craig Bellamy
- Published
Friendly match: England v Wales
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST
The Wales head coach states the English squad depth is remarkable that a boxing promoter wouldn't match them against the Welsh team.
Bellamy's men face England in a non-competitive match at the national stadium on Thursday before their important qualifying match against the Belgians next the following week.
National team coach Tuchel has left the such as Bellingham, Foden and Grealish out of his selection 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 £1.4bn, ours is £170m. Were you a fight promoter, you would not put us together. It wouldn't be allowed."
He explains ensuring the Welsh team can compete with the talented rivals is a "driving force".
The Wales head coach continued: "Our team don't go off market prices, but the simple fact is England don't just have one team. They possess multiple and the French and others have the same level. England have many top talents and that's the honest truth."
"A defender went out injured the other day and there's only two dozen others to choose from! They've got over sixty footballers. I'd love Wales to be stacked like them."
The neighbouring countries last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in the Middle East, when England ran out easy 3-0 winners in a group match before the previous England team made it to the last eight.
The new manager is Tuchel, a Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup champion at the London club who has claimed league championships in France and his home country.
The Welsh boss was previously an assistant at the Belgian side and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who replaced Tuchel at the German giants.
"Tuchel's an outstanding manager - his record is proven," Bellamy added.
"I have a degree of insight because the club he left I am familiar with people who have gone in there. I get a bit of an insight there of his methods and it's remarkable. "
"His tactical detail is elite and I aimed to be up against that - observe how we adjust because he will. I will get to learn from that. I aspire to reach such heights."
Wales Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds), Davies (Sheffield Utd), Tom King (Everton).
Defenders: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Spurs), Kpakio (Cardiff), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Rodon (Leeds United), Williams (Forest).
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester - loaned by Rennes), Sheehan (Bolton), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (the Cottagers), J. Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).
Attackers: Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Cullen (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham - loaned by Liverpool), Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City).
