England Team Strength Labelled 'Absurd' - Welsh Boss Craig Bellamy

• Published 60 minutes ago

International friendly: Wales vs England

Venue: Wembley Stadium, the capital Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST

Craig Bellamy states England's squad depth is so impressive that a boxing promoter would not match them with the Welsh team.

The Welsh squad face England in a non-competitive match at Wembley on Thursday before their important qualifying match against the Belgians next the following week.

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

"The English have a incredible team, similar to France," Bellamy remarked.

"They have a transfer market value of 1.4 billion pounds, Wales' is £170m. Were you a boxing promoter, you would not put us together. It wouldn't be allowed."

He explains making sure Wales can face the talented opponents is a "key motivation".

Bellamy added: "Our team don't go off market prices, but the reality is they have more than one team. They have multiple and the French and others have the same level. England have loads of great players and that's the honest truth."

"A defender went out with injury the other day and there are 24 more to go! They have over sixty players. I'd love Wales to be well-equipped similarly."

These two nations last faced each other at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when the English emerged as easy victors in a group match before Gareth Southgate's side made it to the last eight.

The new manager is Tuchel, a Champions League and world club winner at the London club who has won league championships in Ligue 1 and his home country.

The Welsh boss was formerly an assistant at Anderlecht and the English club to Kompany, who succeeded him at the German giants.

"Tuchel's an outstanding coach - his achievements is proven," he added.

"I possess some sort of understanding because the club he left I know people 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 that - observe how you're going to adapt because he adapts too. I can learn from that. I'd love to get to that level."

Keepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), King (the Toffees).

Backline: Ben Cabango (Swansea), Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Spurs), Kpakio (Cardiff), Lawlor (Cardiff City), Mepham (West Brom), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), David Brooks (the Cherries), J. James (Leicester - on loan from Rennes), Sheehan (Bolton), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), Harry Wilson (the Cottagers), J. Colwill (Cardiff), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff).

Attackers: Nathan Broadhead (the Red Dragons), Cullen (Swansea City), Harris (Oxford United), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham - loaned by the Reds), Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Isaak Davies (Cardiff).