🔗 Share this article Three Lions Squad Strength Called 'Ridiculous' - Welsh Manager Bellamy The German manager was appointed England manager in late 2024. Published 1 hour ago International friendly: England v Wales Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST Craig Bellamy says the English player pool is so impressive that matchmakers wouldn't match them with the Welsh team. The Welsh squad meet England in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday before their important World Cup qualifier against Belgium next the following week. England manager Thomas Tuchel has left the likes of Bellingham, Phil Foden and Grealish from his squad for the Wales friendly and their qualifying game against Latvia. "England have a ridiculous squad, like the French," Bellamy said. "England have a market valuation of £1.4bn, ours is £170m. If you were a fight promoter, you wouldn't put us together. It wouldn't be allowed." Bellamy explains ensuring Wales can face the star-studded rivals is a "key motivation". The Wales head coach continued: "We do not rely on market prices, but the simple fact is they have more than a single lineup. They possess multiple and France and others are similarly stacked. England have many great players and that's a fact." "One right-back went out with injury the recently and there's only 24 more to go! They have 60-odd players. I'd love Wales to be stacked similarly." The neighbouring countries last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when the English ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in a group match before the previous England team made it to the quarter-finals. Southgate's successor is Tuchel, a European and world club champion at Chelsea who has claimed league championships in Ligue 1 and his home country. Bellamy was formerly an assistant at Anderlecht and Burnley to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded him at the German giants. "Tuchel's an outstanding coach - his achievements is proven," he noted. "I have a degree of understanding because the team he departed I know individuals who have joined. I gain a glimpse from that of his methods and it's remarkable. " "His tactical detail is top level and I aimed to be up against such a challenge - see how you're going to adapt because he will. I will get to learn from that. I aspire to get to such heights." Wales Team Selection Keepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (the Toffees). Defenders: Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff), Chris Mepham (West Brom), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Williams (Nottingham Forest). Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester City - loaned by Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke), Harry Wilson (the Cottagers), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City). Attackers: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Cullen (Swansea), Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - loaned by Liverpool), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff City).