5 players of Wales to keep an eye on in FIFA World Cup 2022
After 64 years, Wales is at the Fifa World Cup once again.
Despite the team's record-breaking absence, manager Rob Page heads to Qatar with a team that has been strengthened and hardened by two successful European campaigns. The major players from the teams who made it to the knockout rounds of the last two Uefa European Championships are still on the team.
Now that some exceptionally skilled young players will be playing alongside experienced stars like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, there are high expectations for Qatar 2022 to have a similar impact.
We highlight five players who will be well worth watching as Wales makes their long-awaited return to the international stage as the tournament gets closer.
GARETH BALE
Bale continues to be Wales' undeniable talisman as captain, all-time leading goal scorer, and so much more. This five-time Uefa Champions League champion and three-time Fifa Club World Cup champion likes to save his greatest and most significant performances for when he's in a red shirt, which says it all.
Everyone recalls the flag that famously displayed the hierarchy of his priorities and emotions, and Bale has never concealed the added vigour he experiences when representing Wales. He has noted that when a fan plays for their national team, they "kind of bring that passion with them." Even the media are a little bit friendlier to us, saying, "It is such a great link between the players, the staff, and the fans! Simply put, it's a unique country to call home.
The star player is unique just like the nation. Bale may be 33 years old, but he demonstrated during qualifying that he is just as important to the Welsh team as ever with crucial goals, driving runs, and brilliant set pieces. When he referred to the Los Angeles FC attacker as his country's greatest player, former Wales star Dean Saunders spoke for an entire nation. The former Liverpool striker claimed, "Honestly, I know he's in a team, but he's single-handedly placed our football team on the map." "We'll never again have a player like him."
Wales intend to savour this all-time great as long as they can given all of that and his old age. The World Cup should be the ideal platform for Bale to display and enjoy his talents.
DANIEL JAMES
He was first referred to as "the future Gareth Bale." When James was signed by Manchester United for £15 million as a teenager after just one season of second-tier football, the buzz surrounding him went into overdrive.
His move from Manchester to Leeds for £25 million and subsequent loan to Fulham haven't been easy, but the lightning-quick speed that earned him comparisons to Gareth Bale still ranks among Wales' most effective attacking weapons. James, who gained fame as a winger, has also been used as a center-forward by his national side and may do so in Qatar.
Dan is not a pure striker, according to manager Rob Page. However, he is a skilled football player with incredible speed who can score goals and create opportunities. Additionally, he forces the opposition's defenders to drop deep, which frees up more space for our innovative players in the middle of the field.
BRENNAN JOHNSON
Johnson is another young attacker who has received a lot of attention. Many people agree with Page's high assessment that he is "the future of Welsh football," who even went so far as to use that phrase.
The star of Nottingham Forest, who has succeeded as a traditional striker, in a wider role, and as a creative No10, provides to Wales a variety of offensive tactical alternatives like James does. He has become one of the most exciting offensive possibilities in English football thanks to his excellent technique, ball-carrying ability, movement, and work-rate; even if he might come off the bench in Qatar, don't think that will lessen his impact.
No defence in world football would want to see Brennan Johnson enter the game with 15 minutes remaining, as Page has stated. He has a great talent.
AARON RAMSEY
Ramsey, who has long been viewed as the Robin to Bale's Batman, hasn't always been overshadowed by his more well-known teammate. He was regarded as Wales' best player as they advanced to the semifinals of Euro 2016, repeated his success at Euro 2020, and contributed some crucial goals in qualifying in the interim.
This multi-talented midfielder has been the focal point of the engine rooms of a number of national coaches. When Ramsey was just 20 years old, Gary Speed appointed him as a captain. Chris Coleman praised him as "world-class," and Ryan Giggs said he had the skill "to play anywhere in Europe."
Although Juventus agreed, supposedly elevating him to one of the top ten earners in the world, that lucrative 2019 transfer ended up being devastating for both the player and the team. Ramsey is now looking to revive his career with French club Nice after a similarly dismal loan stint at Rangers, when he missed a crucial penalty in the Uefa Europa League final. This box-to-box midfielder will undoubtedly be a crucial player as Wales try to defy the odds in Qatar should he succeed in doing that and avoid the ailments that have ruined his career.
NECO WILLIAMS
When he was six years old, Neco Williams joined Liverpool. He would still be at Anfield if Jurgen Klopp didn't concur with the common opinion that the teenager is simply too talented to be investing his time stepping in for the unmovable Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench.
The German reluctantly approved a £17 million transfer to Nottingham Forest, but afterwards added, "It's not easy to let him go, but he deserves to be playing regularly and he's earned the right to be ready for his international team." "He has already accomplished so much, but there is still more to come."
This "bright and exciting talent," according to Klopp, was already "one of Wales' most significant players," and Qatar will almost certainly confirm that statement. Williams adds athleticism, ball-carrying ability, and a genuine attacking threat in wide areas whether playing as a full-back or wingback, on the right or left.
When Wales makes its World Cup comeback, he will be well worth watching thanks to those qualities plus the young player's fierce desire to make an impression on the international stage.
