The selection headaches facing Ryan Giggs ahead of Euro 2020

Nearly four years after reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, Wales are gearing up to compete in the 2020 instalment in what feels like a golden-era for football in the country

With young Welsh talent like Daniel James, David Brooks and Ethan Ampadu bursting onto the scene and an ever-growing number of Wales internationals playing in the top-flight, Wales have arguably never had so much strength in depth on the international stage. 

Therefore, as Euro 2020 looms, Ryan Giggs faces the unenviable task of selecting a 23-man squad to take on a group which consists of Switzerland, Turkey and Italy. 

With an array of players staking a strong claim to be on the plane, we take a look at who could feature in Ryan Giggs’ 23-man squad. 

Goalkeepers

Not only the first name on the list of 23, but also the first on the teamsheet is Wayne Hennessey. Having earned 89 caps for Wales, Hennessey is just three caps away from Neville Southall’s record of 92 appearances. The Crystal Palace stopper was dependable in qualifying, most notably making a crucial double save in the 2-0 win over Hungary on the night that secured qualification. 

A deputy to Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Ward is likely to be included as a backup to Hennessey in Giggs’ 23-man squad. Ward has struggled for appearances since his 2018 move to the Foxes from Liverpool – featuring just nine times – but he remains a safe bet to be selected for the Championships.

The final spot is expected to be taken by Stoke City’s Adam Davies, who played 184 times for Barnsley over the course of five seasons, before making the move to the Potters in June of 2019. 

Other contenders include Newport’s Tom King, who was called up for the final two games of qualification back in November, and former Preston, Fleetwood and Wrexham man Chris Maxwell, who recently signed for Blackpool until the end of the season. 

Prediction: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies

Other Options: Tom King, Chris Maxwell

Full-backs

A regular in the Tottenham Hotspur team – especially now that Danny Rose is on loan at Newcastle United – left-back Ben Davies is a fans’ favourite in the Wales ranks.

Arguably, Wales would not have had such success in Euro 2016 had it not been for his heroic clearance off the line in the opening stages against Slovakia. An ever-present in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Davies can be sure of his place on the plane. 

Connor Roberts, the Swansea City full-back, was a key component in Wales’ qualification campaign and has featured regularly for Steve Cooper’s side in the Championship this season. It is clear that Giggs favours Roberts at right-back, having selected the Swans man in seven of Wales’ eight qualifiers. Much like Davies, Roberts’ place in the squad is in little doubt. 

Wales’ most capped player of all time with 96 caps, Reading’s Chris Gunter was a star at Euro 2016, memorably crossing for Sam Vokes to head home against Belgium to send Wales into the semi-finals. However, sentiment cannot influence selection for the upcoming Championships, with Liverpool teenager Neco Williams also staking a claim. 

Speaking to BBC Sport recently, Giggs described Williams as a “fantastic player” and stated “the energy and quality he has shown when he has stepped up into the first team has been really good.”

Therefore, Williams’ swift rise in the last few months could result in Giggs including him in his 23-man squad, as he is no stranger to giving young players a chance on the international stage.

Another experienced head in contention for a call-up is Aston Villa’s Neil Taylor, who was a goalscorer in the 2016 campaign, netting the second goal in a 3-0 group stage win over Russia. Having featured in just one game in the qualifying campaign, Taylor’s case of uncertainty is similar to that of Gunter and Williams. 

Outside contenders to be selected in the full-back role are Cardiff’s Jazz Richards, Charlton’s Adam Matthews, Preston’s Andrew Hughes, Sheffield United’s Kieron Freeman and Sunderland loanee Declan John. 

Prediction: Ben Davies, Connor Roberts, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams

Other Options: Neil Taylor, Jazz Richards, Adam Matthews, Andrew Hughes, Kieron Freeman, Declan John

Centre-Back

Arguably Wales’ best centre-back, Chris Mepham’s place at Euro 2020 is all but secured, with the Bournemouth defender impressing in his five appearances in qualifying.

Since his move from Brentford to the Cherries for a reported £12 million back in January 2019, Mepham has struggled to nail down a starting place at club level – competing with Nathan Ake and Steve Cook – but is still a dependable option for Giggs.

Having formed a good partnership with Mepham in the final two qualifying wins over Azerbaijan and Hungary, Charlton’s Tom Lockyer is a centre-back option that Giggs favoured on four occasions during the qualifying campaign. Without necessarily standing out, Lockyer looked comfortable at international level, and is staking a claim for a place on the plane. 

Now back from injury, Joe Rodon’s reputation has risen markedly in recent times and he is now a regular starter for Swansea. Still only 22, Rodon impressed when he featured in qualifying and arguably would have started the final matches had it not been for injury. If he can continue playing regularly for the Swans before the Euros, he is another who is likely to be selected. 

The final centre-back spot will undoubtedly go down to the wire, with Ashley Williams, James Chester, James Lawrence and Ben Cabango all in the running to be selected. The magnitude of the call cannot be underestimated, and is one that will be very difficult for Giggs. 

Williams was named captain of Wales in 2012 and has been a fantastic player and leader since then, especially excelling at Euro 2016 as he memorably scored the equaliser in the quarter-final victory against Belgium.

Despite Williams’ achievements for Wales, sentiment cannot influence Giggs’ decision whether to take the Bristol City centre-back to Euro 2020 or not, and this is one of Giggs’ biggest selection headaches going into the tournament. 

Another of the heroes of Euro 2016, Chester signed for Stoke on loan from Aston Villa on deadline day in order to stake a claim for a place in Wales’ 23-man squad. Having missed the qualifying campaign, the 31-year-old will be keen to get back into the international setup, but his place at Euro 2020 will depend on his performances in the coming months. 

Outside contenders include Lawrence, the Anderlecht defender who is currently on loan at German side St. Pauli, and Swansea City’s Cabango, who has broken into the first team for Cooper’s side this season. 

Prediction: Chris Mepham, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Ashley Williams

Other Options: James Chester, James Lawrence, Ben Cabango

Central Midfield

Arguably Wales’ most important player, Joe Allen is most certainly on his way to Euro 2020. Every time he has put on the Wales shirt, he has delivered, with industrious and tireless performances in midfield. Having missed just one game in qualifying through suspension, Allen is one of Giggs’ first names on the team sheet. 

Predominantly operating with a two-man midfield, not only will Giggs need a consistent partner for Allen, but also sufficient cover in the midfield area, as it is a role that requires tenacity and energy. 

Wales fans were delighted to see Ethan Ampadu excel in RB Leipzig’s Champions League win over Tottenham Hotspur recently and for good reason.

On loan at the German outfit from Chelsea, Ampadu looked assured in possession and defended admirably. Despite the debate on whether his best position is in central midfield or centre-back, the youngster’s selection looks a certainty and will provide Giggs with invaluable versatility. 

Despite a slow start to life at Cardiff City after signing from Rotherham in June 2019, Will Vaulks looks to have settled in the Welsh capital, treating the Bluebirds’ fans to his trademark acrobatic celebration,as he netted the second in a 3-0 win at Huddersfield recently. If the midfielder continues his current form, he will earn a place in Giggs’ squad.

The final spot in central midfield may be debated, but it is likely that Giggs will stick with Bristol City midfielder Joe Morrell, who is currently on loan at Lincoln City and impressed in his four appearances in the qualifying campaign, with composed and disciplined displays. 

Other candidates include Manchester City’s Matthew Smith, who sealed a loan deal to Charlton until the end of the season on deadline day, Andy King, who is on loan at Huddersfield Town from Leicester City, Wigan’s Lee Evans, Ipswich’s Emyr Huws and Joe Ledley – who has signed for Newcastle Jets this week.

Prediction: Joe Allen, Ethan Ampadu, Will Vaulks, Joe Morrell

Other Options: Matthew Smith, Andy King, Lee Evans, Emyr Huws, Joe Ledley

Attacking Midfield / Wingers

Given the players in contention to be selected in Wales’ forward areas, any remaining accusations that Wales are a one-man-team can surely now be put to bed. 

In qualifying campaign for the 2016 Championships, two thirds of Wales’ goals were scored by Gareth Bale, while the Real Madrid winger scored 20% of Wales’ goals as they qualified for Euro 2020. This stat alone speaks volumes about the depth and firepower that Giggs now has at his disposal. 

Although Wales’ reliance on Bale has lessened in recent times, it remains undeniable that the four-time Champions League winner is Wales’ best player and is crucial to his side’s chances of progressing from the group stages.

Having swapped the Gunners for the Old Lady in July 2019, Aaron Ramsey now plies his trade for Juventus, playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.

Although Ramsey missed most of the qualifying campaign through injury, the Caerphilly-born midfielder stepped up when it mattered most, netting twice against Hungary to send Wales to Euro 2020. Like Bale, Ramsey’s place in Giggs’ 23-man squad is not in question.

A regular in Manchester United’s team, Daniel James is another whose place on the plane – if fit – is a certainty, having impressed for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side this season.

James got Wales’ qualification campaign off to the perfect start, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Slovakia back in March 2019 and he played in every game on the way to Euro 2020, where he will pose a danger to opposition full-backs with his lightning pace. 

The current record-holder for Wales’ youngest international, Harry Wilson caught the headlines last season with brilliant displays whilst on loan at Derby County, most notably scoring a wonderful free-kick at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Since then, Wilson has put in some impressive performances in his debut season in the Premier League on loan at Bournemouth from Liverpool. Although Wilson can be sure of his place in the 23-man squad, it speaks volumes about the depth in Wales’ squad that a player of his quality arguably misses out in Giggs’ best XI. 

There are doubts over the fitness of David Brooks going into Euro 2020, after he suffered an ankle injury back in August last year. Speaking to BBC Sport at the start of February, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe admitted Brooks is “some way away” from fitness but remains “cautiously optimistic” he will play this season.

The current Wales player of the year, it would be a huge boost to Giggs if Brooks will be able to play a part in the summer.

There are strong contenders to fill the void if Brooks loses the battle to be fit for Euro 2020, with Derby County’s Tom Lawrence, Charlton’s Jonny Williams, Schalke’s Rabbi Matondo and Wales’ all-time youngest international goalscorer, Ben Woodburn, all familiar faces for Wales in recent times.

A product of Manchester United’s academy, Dylan Levitt is also an outside contender after appearing in the Europa League for United this season. 

Prediction: Bale, Ramsey, James, Wilson, Brooks

Other Options: Tom Lawrence, Jonny Williams, Rabbi Matondo, Ben Woodburn, Dylan Levitt, Marley Watkins, Ryan Hedges

Strikers

There is strong debate regarding the number of strikers Ryan Giggs should bring to Euro 2020, which makes it difficult to predict who will be selected.  

This time last year, not many – if any – Wales fans would have predicted that Wigan’s Kieffer Moore would have had the impact that he has had since his first call up back in May 2019, but the target-man was excellent in qualifying, scoring in Slovakia and in Hungary, while his hold-up play was highly impressive.

Despite scoring just three goals for the Latics in the Championship this season, Moore’s ability on the international stage to hold the ball up and bring the likes of Bale, Ramsey and James into the game means he is likely to be selected for Euro 2020. 

There is plenty of debate about whether Hal Robson-Kanu, the scorer of that famous goal against Belgium at Euro 2016, should be selected for Euro 2020 after retiring from international football back in August 2018. While Wales secured qualification for Euro 2020, West Bromwich Albion’s Robson-Kanu re-opened the door to international football in November of last year.

The doubters believe that the timing of Robson-Kanu’s return is no coincidence with the Euros approaching, but Robson-Kanu insisted when speaking to BBC Sport that such suggestions are “inaccurate”.

Wales’ success in Euro 2016 was built on team-spirit, and if picking a player who retired from international football and made no appearances in qualifying doesn’t affect the spirit in the camp, then Hal Robson-Kanu has a strong chance of going to Euro 2020, as he offers a different dimension to Moore. 

Like Moore, Christian Doidge’s reputation has risen over the last year and he is now staking a strong claim to be included in Giggs’ squad. The Hibernian striker has scored 17 times in all competitions this season, which makes him by far the most prolific of Wales’ strikers going into the Championships.

Doidge’s selection would inspire strikers in the Cymru Premier, as Doidge was a natural goalscorer for both Barry Town United and Carmarthen Town before turning professional. Doidge’s story is one that shows players in the Cymru Premier can one day be in contention to play for Wales. 

Other candidates to be selected for the striker spot include Leeds’ Tyler Roberts, Stoke’s Sam Vokes and Millwall’s Tom Bradshaw. 

Prediction: Kieffer Moore, Hal Robson-Kanu, Christian Doidge

Other Options: Tyler Roberts, Sam Vokes, Tom Bradshaw

Predicted squad:

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.

Defenders: Connor Roberts, Ben Davies, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Tom Lockyer, Ashley Williams.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Ethan Ampadu, Will Vaulks, Joe Morrell, Aaron Ramsey.

Forwards: Gareth Bale, Daniel James, Harry Wilson, David Brooks, Kieffer Moore, Hal Robson-Kanu, Christian Doidge.

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)