Three Lions Squad Strength Labelled 'Ridiculous' - Welsh Manager Bellamy

• Published 60 minutes ago

International friendly: Wales vs England

Venue: London's Wembley, London Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST

The Wales head coach states the English squad depth is so impressive that a boxing promoter would not pair them against the Welsh team.

Bellamy's men meet their neighbors in a non-competitive match at the national stadium on Thursday before their crucial World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next the following week.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has left the likes of Bellingham, Phil Foden and Grealish out of his selection for the match against Wales and their qualifying game against Latvia.

"England have a ridiculous squad, like France," the coach said.

"England have a market valuation of 1.4 billion pounds, ours is 170 million. If you were a fight promoter, you would not put us together. It wouldn't be allowed."

He explains ensuring Wales can face the star-studded rivals is a "driving force".

The Wales head coach continued: "Our team don't go off values, but the simple fact is they don't just have a single lineup. They have multiple and France and others have the same level. They have loads of top talents and that's the honest truth."

"One right-back went out injured the recently and there are 24 more to choose from! They've got 60-odd players. I'd love Wales to be well-equipped like them."

These two nations most recently met at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when England emerged as easy victors in a group match before the previous England team reached the last eight.

The new manager is Tuchel, a Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup winner at Chelsea who has won domestic titles in France and his native Germany.

The Welsh boss was formerly an coach at the Belgian side and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who replaced Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

"Tuchel's an outstanding manager - his achievements speak for themselves," he added.

"I possess a degree of understanding because the club he left I know individuals who have joined. I gain a glimpse from that of his methods and it's very impressive. "

"His tactical detail is elite and I wanted to be up against such a challenge - see how we adjust because he will. I can learn from it. I'd love to reach that level."

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), King (Everton).

Defenders: Ben Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), B. Davies (Spurs), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Williams (Forest).

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (Bournemouth), J. James (Leicester - on loan from Stade Rennais), Sheehan (Bolton), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff), R. Colwill (Cardiff City).

Attackers: Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea), Mark Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham City - loaned by Liverpool), Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff).