Three Lions Team Strength Called 'Ridiculous' - Welsh Manager Bellamy

• Published 60 minutes ago

Friendly match: Wales vs England

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

Craig Bellamy states England's squad depth is remarkable that matchmakers 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 important World Cup qualifier against the Belgians next Monday.

England manager Tuchel has left the such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from his squad for the Wales friendly and their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

"England have a incredible team, like the French," the coach remarked.

"They have a market valuation of £1.4bn, Wales' is £170m. Were you a boxing promoter, you would not match us up. That wouldn't be permitted."

He explains making sure the Welsh team can compete with the talented opponents is a "driving force".

The Wales head coach continued: "Our team don't go off values, but the reality is England have more than a single lineup. They have two, three, four and France and others are similarly stacked. England have many great players and that's the honest truth."

"A defender went out with injury the recently and there's only 24 more to choose from! They've got over sixty footballers. I'd love Wales to be well-equipped similarly."

The neighbouring countries most recently met at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when the English emerged as easy victors in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side made it to the last eight.

Southgate's successor is Tuchel, a Champions League and world club champion at Chelsea who has won league championships in France and his native Germany.

Bellamy was previously an coach at the Belgian side and Burnley to Vincent Kompany, who succeeded Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

"Tuchel's an incredible coach - his achievements is proven," Bellamy added.

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

"His strategic planning is top level and I wanted to be up against that - observe how we adjust because he adapts too. I will get to learn from that. I'd love to reach that level."

Keepers: Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd), King (Everton).

Defenders: Cabango (Swansea City), Dasilva (Coventry City), B. Davies (Spurs), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Mepham (West Brom), Rodon (Leeds United), Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Brooks (the Cherries), Jordan James (Leicester - loaned by Rennes), Sheehan (Bolton), Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff).

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford), Koumas (Birmingham - loaned by the Reds), Johnson (Spurs), Moore (Wrexham), I. Davies (Cardiff).