WELSH FOOTBALL
C HRIS Coleman’s Wales are seen as the golden generation following their success at the Euros last summer and the push for next summer’s World Cup.
But what about the glut of teen talent coming through the system and headed up by Liverpool wonder Ben Woodburn.
He pulled out of Wales’ game in Serbia with injury, but Coleman still named six uncapped players on the bench for the World Cup quali- TOM LOCKYER POSITION: DEFENDER; AGE: 22; CLUB: BRISTOL ROVERS The Cardiff-born centre-back has already racked up almost 200 appearances for Bristol Rovers, despite being just 22 years of age so we’ll definitely be seeing a lot more of his at club level next season. GETHIN JONES POSITION: DEFENDER; AGE: 21; CLUB: EVERTON The central defender was one of the stars of Everton’s Premier League 2 title success last season as well as making 17 appearances for Barnsley in the Championship.
It is unlikely that he’ll feature in the Toffees’ first team next season, but Jones will almost certainly be seen plying his trade in the Football League which can only benefit the national side. LEE EVANS POSITION: MIDFIELDER; AGE: 22; CLUB: WOLVES Evans has been a regular in Wales’ Under-21 side and made 18 appearances for Wolves during the course of the 2016-17 campaign. There’ll be plenty more first team action for the Welshman at Molineux next season. DANIEL JAMES POSITION: WINGER; AGE: 19; CLUB: SWANSEA James enjoyed a stunning campaign with Swansea’s youth side who claimed glory in Premier League 2 Division 2 as well as tasting success in the Premier League Cup. And he was rewarded by being called up to the national side for their clash with Serbia following the withdrawal of West Brom man Hal Robson-Kanu, just days after starring for Wales in the Toulon Tournament by winning and scoring a last-minute penalty to earn his side a 1-0 win over Bahrain.
While raved about at the Liberty, it’s unlikely that he’ll be a regular in the first team for either Swansea and Wales after the summer, but if he continues to shine under Gary Richards and Cameron Toshack, it’s fier in Belgrade on Sunday, placing plenty of trust in the country’s young guns.
On top of that, Wales enjoyed a hugely impressive debut in the Toulon Tournament after ending the France competition unbeaten.
Two of the Welsh youngsters – Coventry man George Thomas and Tranmere goalkeeper Luke Pill- highly likely that he’ll get a taste of first team action in the next 12 months having already made matchday squads. BEN WOODBURN POSITION: STRIKER; AGE: 17; CLUB: LIVERPOOL What a year it’s been for the teenager who made his Liverpool debut, became the club’s youngest ever scorer and earned his first call up to the national side, his calf injury just days before Belgrade a frustration for player and staff who believed he was ready to make an impact from the bench. The fact he made nine appearances for the Reds’ first team last season at just 17 years of age shows just how highly he’s rated by Jurgen Klopp, and there’s no doubt that while he’ll predominantly feature in Liverpool’s Under-23 side, Woodburn will continue to have first team opportunities at Anfield. HARRY WILSON POSITION: WINGER; AGE: 20; CLUB: LIVERPOOL Having become the youngest ever person to play for Wales in October 2013, there’s no doubt that Wilson will rack up plenty of caps for the national side in the future.
He also donned the captain’s ing – were included in the team of the tournament in which Wales secured one win and two draws but were agonisingly pipped to a semi-final spot as a best runner-up by Scotland.
So what does the future hold for these stars? How much football will they get for their club sides next season? What strides will they continue to make?
We took a closer look at the men – all under 24 – with Welsh football’s future in their hands... armband for the Under-23 side for the 2016-17 season in which he scored goals for fun. Wilson – like Woodburn – was also handed his first team bow last season in an FA Cup third round replay with Plymouth Argyle in January.
Given the competition for places in his position at Liverpool, first team opportunities won’t be easy to come by, but you can fully expect Klopp to give the Welshman a run-out in cup games next season. But the fact talk of a move to Celtic was quickly quashed tells you he’s very much in Klopp’s Liverpool plans. ETHAN AMPADU POSITION: DEFENDER; AGE: 16; CLUB: EXETER What a season it’s been for Ampadu who became Exeter’s youngest ever player at the beginning of the 201617 campaign when he made his debut in a League Cup game against Brentford aged just 15 years, 10 months and 26 days.
He’s already excited Wales’ senior management after his appearance in the training squad ahead of Serbia, key staff all confident he can continue his development. Despite his age, Ampadu made 13 appearances in all competitions for the Grecians last season, and there’s no doubt that he’ll continue to feature for the League Two outfit again next season. THE SITUATION WITH WALES’ TOULON TOURNAMENT ACES: LUKE PILLING POSITION: GOALKEEPER; AGE: 19; CLUB: TRANMERE The shot stopper played in all three of Wales’ matches at the Toulon Tournament, keeping clean sheets in the games against Bahrain and hosts France.
Pilling made his first team debut for Tranmere in their National League clash with Maidstone in April, keeping a clean sheet as his side secured a 1-0 victory.
Having tasted first team action already, Pilling will almost certainly feature in the 2017-18 campaign, potentially in the cup competitions or even on loan elsewhere if the Merseysiders feel he would benefit from a spell away from Prenton Park. CAMERON COXE POSITION: DEFENDER; AGE: 18; CLUB: CARDIFF The right-back has been with the Bluebirds since he was just seven years of age and has become a familiar name with Cardiff fans in recent seasons after his impressive showing in the age grade sides for both club and country.
At just 18 years of age, it is expected that Coxe will continue to be a growing influence in Cardiff’s youth set-up next season. JOE RODON POSITION: DEFENDER; AGE: 19; CLUB: SWANSEA The Swansea centre-back donned the captain’s armband for Page’s side in France and led Wales young guns’ with distinction, starting in all three