Three Lions Team Depth Called 'Absurd' - Wales Boss Craig Bellamy

• Published 1 hour ago

Friendly match: Wales vs England

Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Craig Bellamy states England's squad depth is remarkable that a boxing promoter wouldn't match them with the Welsh team.

Bellamy's men meet England in a friendly at the national stadium on Thursday before their important World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next the following week.

National team coach Tuchel has omitted the such as Bellingham, Foden and Jack Grealish out of his squad for the match against Wales and their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

"The English have a ridiculous team, similar to the French," the coach said.

"England have a market valuation of £1.4bn, ours is 170 million. If you were a fight promoter, you wouldn't match us up. That wouldn't be permitted."

Bellamy says ensuring the Welsh team can face the talented rivals is a "driving force".

Bellamy continued: "Our team do not rely on market prices, but the reality is they have more than one team. They have two, three, four and the French and others have the same level. They have many great players and that's a fact."

"A defender was ruled out injured the other day and there's only 24 more to go! They've got 60-odd players. I'd love Wales to be stacked similarly."

These two nations last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in the Middle East, when England ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in a fixture before Gareth Southgate's side made it to the last eight.

Southgate's successor is Tuchel, a European and Fifa Club World Cup winner at Chelsea who has claimed domestic titles in Ligue 1 and his native Germany.

The Welsh boss was previously an assistant at Anderlecht and the English club to Kompany, who replaced Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

"Tuchel's an outstanding coach - his record is proven," Bellamy noted.

"I have a degree of understanding because the team he departed I am familiar with individuals who have gone in there. I gain a glimpse there of his methods and it's remarkable. "

"His tactical detail is top level and I aimed to be facing such a challenge - observe how you're going to adapt because he adapts too. I will get to learn from that. I'd love to reach that level."

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

Backline: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Dasilva (Coventry City), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff), Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Midfield: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester City - on loan from Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke City), H. Wilson (Fulham), J. Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).

Forwards: Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - on loan from the Reds), Johnson (Spurs), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff).