Euro 2020 Profile: Wales

Team: Wales

Manager: Robert Page

Group: A

Other teams in group: Italy, Switzerland Turkey.

THE SQUAD

There are a number of familiar names in this Wales squad, many of which contributed to the country’s success at Euro 2016.

The likes of Wayne Hennessy, Ben Davies, Joe Allen, and Gareth Bale are all ready to go again while the likes of Neco Williams and Dan James from Liverpool and Manchester United respectively will be looking to make their names on the international stage.

The squad in full: 

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Leicester), Adam Davies (Stoke)

Defenders: Connor Roberts (Swansea), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Chris Gunter (Charlton), Joe Rodon (Tottenham), Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), James Lawrence (St Pauli), Ben Cabango (Swansea), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United)

Midfielders: Joe Allen (Stoke), Joe Morrell (Luton), Matthew Smith (Manchester City), Jonny Williams (Cardiff), Aaron Ramsey (Juventus), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff), Harry Wilson (Liverpool)

Forwards: Daniel James (Manchester United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Tyler Roberts (Leeds), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Kieffer Moore (Cardiff)

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Wales qualified from Group E of the Euro 2020 qualifiers where they finished second, two points behind group winners Croatia.

Wales lost away to Hungary and Croatia during the campaign while the Croats and Slovakia also managed draws against Wales.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Gareth Bale – Bale will arrive at Euro 2020 having scored 11 goals in 20 games for Tottenham in the Premier League. He’ll be hoping to surpass his goal scoring tally of three at Euro 2016. It’s so often the case that when Bale is on top form, Wales produce their best football, so despite a stop start season at club level, the Welsh faithful will be hoping the midfielder can bring his A game to Euro 2020.

Dan James

James scored three goals and assisted once in 11 Premier League starts for Manchester United throughout the 20/21 campaign. While the numbers aren’t overly amazing, James has what it takes to be heavily influential in Wales’s chase for success this summer. 

The winger’s pace will compliment the skill, power and technique provided by the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in Wales’s attacking play.

Ben Davies

28-year-old defender Davies brings a wealth of experience to the Welsh back four, having made over 200 Premier League appearances for Spurs to date.

Despite some injury trouble during the domestic campaign, Davies still managed 20 appearances in England’s topflight. Although he only provided one assist in the 2020/21 campaign, he still has all of the attributes to get forward and support the Welsh attack as they look to overcome the likes of Switzerland, Turkey and Italy.

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING 

Wales will play their opening two group games in Baku, Azerbaijan, before playing their final group game in Rome against Italy.

Saturday 12 June 2021, Wales vs Switzerland (Baku) 

Wednesday 16 June 2021, Turkey vs Wales (Baku) 

Sunday 20 June 2021, Italy vs Wales (Rome)

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

James Lawrence is the only member of the squad to be playing his club football outside of the UK. The defender plays with St Pauli in the second division in Germany.

Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore and Aaron Ramsey finished the group as Wales’ joint top scorers, each managing two goals from ten games.

Wales’ last trip to Baku, back in November of 2019, saw them beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in qualifying for this summer’s tournament.

THEIR RECENT FORM

Wales have won three of their last four competitive fixtures with their 3-1 World Cup qualifying defeat away at Belgium the only blot on their recent record.

First game: Wales V Switzerland (12 June, kick off 2pm).

Gavin Bazunu: ‘I wouldn’t have come to Manchester City unless I thought I could be the number one goalkeeper’https://t.co/hKkfOTr9Lupic.twitter.com/q8UqDjcm4j

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) June 7, 2021