England Squad Depth Labelled 'Absurd' - Welsh Manager Craig Bellamy

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International friendly: England v Wales

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

Craig Bellamy says England's squad depth is so impressive that matchmakers wouldn't pair them against his Wales side.

Bellamy's men face their neighbors in a friendly at the national stadium on this Thursday before their important World Cup qualifier against Belgium next Monday.

England manager Tuchel has omitted the such as Bellingham, Foden and Grealish from his selection for the Wales friendly and their World Cup qualifier against the Latvian team.

"The English have a incredible team, like France," the coach said.

"England have a transfer market value of £1.4bn, ours is £170m. Were you a fight promoter, you wouldn't put us together. It wouldn't be allowed."

Bellamy explains ensuring Wales can compete with the talented opponents is a "driving force".

Bellamy continued: "We do not rely on values, but the simple fact is they don't just have one team. They have multiple and France and others have the same level. England have loads of top talents and that's the honest truth."

"A defender was ruled out with injury the other day and there's only two dozen others to choose from! They've got over sixty footballers. I'd love Wales to be well-equipped like them."

These two nations last faced each other at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, when the English ran out easy 3-0 winners in a fixture before Gareth Southgate's side reached the last eight.

Southgate's successor is Thomas Tuchel, a European and world club winner at Chelsea who has claimed league championships in France and his home country.

Bellamy was formerly an assistant at the Belgian side and the English club to Vincent Kompany, who replaced him at the German giants.

"He's an incredible coach - his record is proven," Bellamy added.

"I possess some sort of insight because the team he departed I am familiar with individuals who have gone in there. I get a glimpse there of his methods and it's remarkable. "

"His tactical detail is elite and I aimed to be up against such a challenge - observe how you're going to adapt because he adapts too. I will get to learn from that. I aspire to get to such heights."

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

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

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

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