This team isn't based on sole international performance, but the best players from this nation in a balanced squad.
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STARTING XI
REMAINING SQUAD MEMBERS
3 best players not in the squad:
Wales' best achievements were reaching the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup and the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Gareth Bale was the star player of the 2016 side, while John Charles picked up an injury the match before the 1958 quarter-final against Brazil, which Wales 'might have won' with him in the side, according to their manager Jimmy Murphy. 6 players come from this 58 squad, more than any other era here. Charles is still probably Wales' greatest ever player, but Gareth Bale runs him very close. Jones and England were probably the two strongest Welsh best centre-backs, so it made sense to start Ratcliffe as a makeshift left-back ahead of Hopkins, as I didn't want to leave him out the XI. Joey Jones was capable of covering either flank - he is the back-up right-back. Ratcliffe can cover as a fourth centre-back, so Ray Daniel missed out. Paul and Ramsey are back-up to Burgess and Mel Charles, with Gary Speed and Terry Yorath missing out. Wales' strength lies in their attacking players - their front 4 is very strong. Meredith, Jones, Hughes, Allchurch and Ford are the alternative options in these positions. I considered picking John Charles as a centre-back so I could start Billy Meredith, but I had the opportunity to play him in his best position upfront, and the team was probably stronger this way. The likes of Ted Vizard, Grenville Morris, Terry Medwin, John Toshack and Roy Vernon couldn't quite make the squad. Players by Decade: 1950's (6), 1960's (4), 1980's (3), 2010's (2), 1990's (2), 1940's (2), 1970's (1), 1900's (2), 1920's (1) |
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Top 10 Welsh Players of All-Time
(& their all-time positional rank)
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