Wales might be taking part in at their first World Cup since 1958 in Qatar. Here is a more in-depth take a look at the gamers who made Robert Page’s 26-man squad:
Goalkeepers
Wayne Hennessey (Club: Nottingham Forest, Age: 35, Caps: 106, Goals: 0)
Won again the primary jersey after shedding it to Danny Ward at Euro 2020. Swapped the Burnley bench for understudying Dean Henderson at Nottingham Forest this season and pre-World Cup game-time is a matter. But efficiency ranges for Wales haven’t dipped when he has been quantity two at his membership.
Key stat: Made 9 saves within the play-off ultimate victory in opposition to Ukraine – essentially the most photographs on course by a staff with out scoring within the 2022 European World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
Danny Ward (Leicester, 29, 26, 0)
Endured troublesome home marketing campaign in succeeding Leicester nice Kasper Schmeichel and has been responsible of constructing of some high-profile errors. Not essentially the most snug with the ball at his toes, however produced some large performances for Wales previously. Now seen because the back-up to Hennessey.
Key stat: Total of 14 group-stage saves at Euro 2020 was bettered solely by Turkey’s Ugurcan Cakir.
Adam Davies (Sheffield Utd, 30, 4, 0)
Very a lot Wales’ third-choice goalkeeper who has needed to take care of damage setbacks. Yet to play for Sheffield United since becoming a member of them from Stoke in January, and was sidelined initially of the season with a knee damage. Got the nod over Salford’s Tom King to make the Qatar journey.
Key stat: Had made extra appearances for Wales (2) than at membership degree (1) till the center of final month.
Defenders
Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon, 33, 109, 0)
Wales’ most capped males’s participant stays an necessary squad member, regardless of his back-up standing and dropping all the way down to League Two. Provides large expertise as a Euro 2016 veteran and a peaceful voice within the dressing room. Offers versatility at wing-back or on the fitting aspect of a three-man defence.
Key stat: Became first Welshman to win 100 caps when main the aspect in a 1-0 pleasant victory over Mexico in March 2021.
Connor Roberts (Burnley, 27, 41, 3)
Will begin as proper wing-back in Robert Page’s most popular 3-4-3 formation and gives large power and enthusiasm down that flank. A Championship common for Vincent Kompany’s Clarets, Roberts is tenacious and in addition has a purpose in him. Scored in Wales’ 2-0 victory over Turkey at Euro 2020.
Key stat: Three targets for Wales makes Roberts the sixth highest scorer within the squad.
Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, on mortgage from Chelsea, 22, 37, 0)
Headed to Italy for second mortgage spell after Page expressed issues over lack of recreation time at Chelsea. Ability to play in defence or midfield is a large plus, though Page prefers to place him on the fitting of a three-man defence. Tigerish in sort out and should preserve self-discipline.
Key stat: Just seven begins in over 5 years at Chelsea and 4 mortgage spells away from Stamford Bridge.
Chris Mepham (Bournemouth, 25, 33, 0)
Twelve months in the past his fortunes for membership and nation appeared on the slide. But has since gone from Championship bit-part participant to Premier League common at Bournemouth and performed a few of his finest video games for Wales. Added consistency might make him a World Cup starter.
Key stat: Started each Premier League recreation for Bournemouth this season.
Joe Rodon (Rennes, on mortgage from Tottenham, 25, 30, 0)
Raised eyebrows with a summer season swap to Ligue 1 however has settled nicely in France and obtained priceless pre-World Cup minutes. Key element of Wales defence, each for man-marking expertise and his potential in possession. Capable of organising assaults by driving out of defence with the ball.
Key stat: Scored his first profession purpose for Rennes in opposition to Brest on August 31.
Ben Davies (Tottenham, 29, 74, 1)
Provides steadiness, composure and expertise to three-man central defence, lining up on the left the place Antonio Conte has deployed him as a rule at Tottenham. Reads recreation so nicely that he’s not often caught out and was among the many stand-out performers in play-off ultimate victory.
Key stat: Started final 27 matches of 2021-22 marketing campaign as Spurs secured return to the Champions League.
Ben Cabango (Swansea, 22, 5, 0)
Made Wales’ squad for the delayed Euro 2020 match however didn’t play. Nearly 18 months on and Cabango continues to be down the pecking order of central defenders, however has proven rising maturity at Swansea. Has improved in possession and is powerful within the air.
Key stat: Won 4 aerial duels in opposition to Poland in Wales’ ultimate pre-World Cup recreation.
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest, 21, 23, 2)
Spent membership profession at proper full-back or wing-back, however operates on the left for Wales. As with Roberts on the fitting, work price and willingness to get ahead is a crucial a part of Wales’ attacking armoury. Benefited from additional minutes at membership degree following transfer from Liverpool to Forest.
Key stat: Scored on his aggressive worldwide debut in opposition to Bulgaria in September 2020.
Tom Lockyer (Luton, 26, 14, 0)
The centre-back is the beneficiary of Rhys Norrington-Davies’ hamstring damage and returns to the squad after a 14-month absence. Strong competitor and has good management expertise having captained Bristol Rovers and Luton.
Key stat: Once performed for membership and nation inside 24 hours. Started for Wales away to Albania in November 2018 earlier than approaching as a 77th-minute substitute for Bristol Rovers within the FA Cup the next night time.
Midfielders
Joe Allen (Swansea, 32, 72, 2)
Massive midfield presence – many would say irreplaceable – with an innate potential to protect the defence and break up play. Not performed since September 17 due to hamstring harm and Wales are sweating on his health forward of the match opener in opposition to the United States.
Key stat: Named in Euro 2016’s official staff of the match.
Joe Morrell (Portsmouth, 25, 30, 0)
Stepped up from League One to play alongside Allen in central midfield and was an everyday at Euro 2020. Possesses good quick passing recreation and is a combative participant. Never let Wales down, however might need to accept bench function ought to Page determine to go on the offensive.
Key stat: Scored at under-17 and under-21 degree for Wales.
Matthew Smith (MK Dons, 22, 19, 0)
Versatility assured him a spot in Wales’ World Cup squad. Capable of working throughout midfield, though the Manchester City product is extra snug in central function. Has performed wing-back for Wales and gives an possibility there ought to accidents strike.
Key stat: Had 5 mortgage spells away from City earlier than becoming a member of MK Dons.
Dylan Levitt (Dundee United, 21, 13, 0)
Left Manchester United for Dundee United in July to nail down a World Cup spot. An excellent passer of the ball, Levitt helped Dundee United qualify for European soccer throughout a profitable mortgage spell on Tayside final season. Yet to actually flourish for Wales when given a chance.
Key stat: Voted Dundee United’s followers’ participant of the 12 months whereas on mortgage at Tannadice Park.
Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield, 23, 6, 0)
Was taking part in within the National League at Boreham Wood two years in the past. Made his technique to Huddersfield the place his set-pieces helped them into the Championship play-offs. Can function as a wing-back or additional up the pitch.
Key stat: Created practically 100 scoring probabilities within the Championship final season.
Rubin Colwill (Cardiff, 20, 7, 1)
Shock Euro 2020 choice on the age of 19. Injuries have hampered the attacking midfielder’s progress, though he has shone in cameo roles for Wales and scored his first worldwide purpose in March. Tall and stylish, Colwill has not performed since September 25 due to damage.
Key stat: Named in Wales’ Euro 2020 squad after simply 191 minutes of senior soccer.
Jonny Williams (Swindon, 29, 32, 2)
Among the band of Euro 2016 survivors regardless of dropping all the way down to League Two. Injuries have disrupted his profession, however has fast toes and is a skilful operator. Slight nature makes him a free-kick magnet for skipper Gareth Bale to use.
Key stat: Opened his Wales purpose account in 2020 in opposition to Bulgaria on his twenty fifth look.
Aaron Ramsey (Nice, 31, 75, 20)
Goalscoring midfielder who has been performing on the highest degree for over a decade. Spent 11 years at Arsenal earlier than tasting European soccer at Juventus and Nice. Injuries have plagued him however Ramsey is usually the person for the large event, and scored at each Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Key stat: Sixth on the checklist of highest Wales males’s all-time goalscorers.
Harry Wilson (Fulham, 25, 38, 5)
Ball-playing midfielder at his finest on proper, though he has occupied a central place for Wales to good impact. Pre-season damage regarded as if it might threaten his World Cup place at one level. But again within the Fulham fold during the last month and gives the Dragons one other attacking possibility.
Key stat: Youngest participant to play for Wales, on the age of 16 years and 207 days.
Forwards
Daniel James (Fulham, on mortgage from Leeds, 24, 38, 5)
Electric tempo and skill to stretch defences has made him an computerized starter each for Page and his predecessor Ryan Giggs. Sometimes criticised for his ultimate product, he has a knack of scoring necessary targets. Sparked Wales’ World Cup marketing campaign into life with winner in opposition to the Czech Republic.
Key stat: Started Wales’ final 33 aggressive matches since making his debut in March 2019.
Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC, 33, 108, 40)
Wales’ captain, talisman and arguably their best ever participant. Now spending the twilight days of his profession in California however nonetheless able to nice moments, as proven by the last-gasp purpose that helped safe LAFC their first MLS Cup. Heroics in opposition to Austria and Ukraine booked Wales’ World Cup spot.
Key stat: Wales’ males’s nationwide staff document scorer – 40 targets in 108 appearances.
Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth, 30, 29, 9)
An enormous participant for Wales in each sense of the phrase. The 6ft 5in frontman is a large bodily presence who occupies central defenders but in addition has the mobility to run into the channels. Decent goalscoring document since his 2019 arrival into the squad, however tendency to select up bookings is trigger for concern.
Key stat: Played for 11 golf equipment in nomadic profession earlier than making the Premier League at Bournemouth.
Mark Harris (Cardiff, 23, 5, 0)
Yet to attain at worldwide degree and never at all times first-choice for his membership Cardiff. But keen runner who has good motion and creates area for others. Made debut in World Cup win away to Belarus in September 2021 and can fill function of back-up striker in Qatar.
Key stat: Played for 3 of Wales’ skilled golf equipment – Cardiff, Newport and Wrexham.
Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest, 21, 15, 2)
Quicksilver ahead who had a memorable breakthrough season at Nottingham Forest final time period as his hometown membership have been promoted to the Premier League. Also tailored to worldwide degree easily with targets in opposition to Belgium and Netherlands, and is difficult for a beginning spot in Qatar.
Key stat: Scored 21 targets for membership and nation final season.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk