Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy addressed the media on Tuesday morning as he announced his squad for the extended international window that will mark the start of the fifth edition of the UEFA Nations League.
A return to League A means that Cymru will take on the elite of the European game with two away fixtures against Portugal and Denmark (24 & 27 September) before the Cardiff City Stadium plays host to Norway and the return match against the Danes (1 & 4 October). Cymru gained promotion back to League A during Bellamy’s first campaign as his side remained undefeated.
Bellamy has named a 28-man squad for the four games, but injuries have ruled out the defensive pairing of Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor. However, Harry Wilson, Jordan James and Ben Cabango return to the squad, while Cian Ashford received his first senior call-up having impressed for Cardiff City in the Championship this season.
“Listen, do we want a fully fit squad?” asked Bellamy in his press conference. “Of course, but that’s not the case. This is a completely different format in that we have four games in a short space of time and it’s going to test us squad-wise. We’re going to have to be flexible with the squad and I’m excited about that.
“I love the Nations League as I think it makes such sense to me. These are top games and the quality of opposition is going to be there. The intensity of what’s going to be required in these games is top level in every single game and that’s exciting. It’s going to be a test for us, but it’s going to be a test for me too.”
The majority of Bellamy’s squad announcement was spent discussing the situation about his future following reports of a potential move to Burnley during the summer. Despite media reports, Bellamy was clear that he wanted to remain with Cymru. Attentions now turn to the challenge of the Nations League and qualification for EURO 2028.
“It didn’t break down, I said no, it’s not for me,” explained Bellamy. “That was it. There was no walking away from discussions. It wasn’t for me. I made the decision to stay because this is the right place for me. We had a conversation, but I was already in a role, and this was what I wanted.”
However, there were changes for Cymru behind the scenes during the summer as coaches James Rowberry and Piet Cremers taking up full-time roles with Stoke City and Club NXT, the youth academy of Club Brugge, respectively. “First and foremost, a big thank you to both of them,” Bellamy added. “They’ve been a big help in the first two years.
“I’ve got to be honest, it’s been really good over the last couple of months interviewing people who could add to us and help us. I’ve enjoyed that process.” Former Swansea City manager Alan Sheehan and former Cymru captain Ashley Williams were subsequently invited to join the coaching staff for the upcoming campaign, and Bellamy is looking forward to working with them both.
“Shee’s (Sheehan) knows one or two of the players and I think he can be a big help,” he explained. “I’ve tried to get Ash to commit to us and he’s managed to hold off one or two other things for the time being. In my time he’s been a great captain, a leader, and the young players are definitely going to learn a lot off him, but also the senior players as well.”
The four-game international window will bring some new challenges for Bellamy and his squad, and he was open about disagreeing with the change in format when it was initially presented. “A lot of the top nations were all for it, but for a nation like ours it means that someone like Joe Rodon doesn’t miss two games, he misses four, and that’s a big blow.
“But I’m always excited about something different so let’s give it a go and see how it works for us. It might work in our favour, I don’t know as it’s a completely new format to prepare for in terms of the volume of work during the days and weeks, but it is what it is.”
