Wales Watch: Ramsey crowned as champion as Brooks, Wilson and Mepham are relegated
Cardiff, Wales 18/11/19. Wales manager Ryan Giggs at Wales v Hungary Match Day 1 Press Conference at Hensol Castle. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Welsh internationals featured in the Premier League, Championship, and Serie A, in what was a week full of action.
Many different countries are now reaching the business end of the season. England saw the end of the Premier League season this week.
Embed from Getty ImagesSerie A champion
Sunday night saw Juventus crowned as Serie A champions, following their 2-0 victory over Sampdoria.
Aaron Ramsey was an unused substitute in the fixture, but three points secured the title for the Turin side, Ramsey’s first trophy with Juventus.
Juventus could’ve secured the title during the midweek match against Udinese. Ramsey started the match, and lasted 59 minutes before being substituted for Blaise Matuidi. A win would’ve secured the title, but the Bianconeri conceded in the last minute, losing 2-1 away from home.
Ramsey is the fourth Welshman to win the Serie A, after Howard Passadoro (Genoa), Penrhyn Neville (Milan) and John Charles (Juventus).
Embed from Getty ImagesWelsh goalscorers
Kieffer Moore continued his rich vein of goal scoring form in the midweek, with a goal against Fulham. The goal wasn’t enough for his side to earn three points, as they drew 1-1, meaning that Wigan were relegated to League One.
Tyler Roberts scored for champions Leeds United, in their final match of the season. Roberts came on at half time, and was an instant impact as he headed home from a corner in the 51st minute.
A fitting way to end the season for Tyler Roberts, as his Leeds United side reigned victorious in securing promotion to the Premier League, and lifted the Championship title, following the final whistle.
Wales U21 international Liam Cullen scored his first senior goal for Swansea City on Wednesday. This goal helped Swansea towards securing a play-off spot, as his side look for promotion to the Premier League.
Cullen was also nominated for the Premier League 2 player of the season award. An impressive campaign saw him score eight goals and assist twice in 15 matches, as well as breaking into the senior side.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorge Thomas signs for QPR
QPR have confirmed the signing of three time Welsh international George Thomas, following his departure from Leicester City.
Leicester City signed Thomas from Coventry City in 2017 for an undisclosed fee. He didn’t play in a single league match for Leicester during his time at the club.
Thomas made his debut for Wales two years ago, as a substitute in a friendly match against Mexico.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, he was on loan at Dutch side ADO Den Haag, but only featured three times for the club.
In other transfer news, Kieffer Moore looks set to move on following Wigan Athletic’s relegation from the Championship.
QPR have reportedly had a bid accepted for Moore, but Millwall are also very keen on the 27 year old.
Embed from Getty ImagesWelsh trio relegated from the Premier League
Bournemouth have been relegated from the Premier League, on the final day of the season.
Three Welshmen, Harry Wilson, David Brooks, and Chris Mepham have all been involved in the Bournemouth side this season.
Harry Wilson will return to Liverpool, as his loan has expired, but many suspect that he’ll be sold this summer. Newly promoted Leeds United are reportedly interested in acquiring the 23 year old this summer.
David Brooks is another one that looks likely to move on, as he is reportedly sought after by a number of clubs. Tottenham, Leicester, Manchester United and Leeds United are all interested, if reports are to be believed.
Chris Mepham is likely to be a Championship player with Bournemouth next season. Central defender, Nathan Ake, is likely to leave Bournemouth, so Mepham could become a regular starter in the second tier.
Another Welsh trio were also relegated this week. Adam Matthews, Tom Lockyer and Jonny Williams’ Charlton Athletic side were relegated from the Championship.
Tom Lockyer is expected to move to another Championship club, following Charlton’s relegation.
The futures of both Adam Matthews and Jonny Williams are uncertain to the public at this point.
Welsh youth internationals
It was a week to remember for a number of Welsh youth internationals for a variety of reasons.
Neco Williams started for Liverpool against Newcastle, for his sixth appearance of the season.
Ben Cabango started both matches for Swansea in the week. Liam Cullen and Tivonge Rushesha were both substitutes for both matches this week, Cullen coming on and scoring in the first fixture. Cameron Evans was an unused substitute in Swansea’s play-off match against Brentford on Sunday.
Brennan Johnson was an unused substitute in Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 defeat to Stoke City on Wednesday.
Jack Vale was an unused substitute in Blackburn Rovers’ 3-2 loss to Luton Town in their final match of the season.
Ben Williams was also an unused substitute for his Barnsley side, as they secured their place in the Championship next season with a win over Brentford.
Welsh play-off action
The first leg of the Championship play-off semi finals, saw six Welsh players involved in both Swansea and Cardiff’s matchday squads.
Ben Cabango and Connor Roberts both started in Swansea’s 1-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday evening.
Liam Cullen, Tivonge Rushesha and Cameron Evans were all unused substitutes for the Swans.
Cardiff City’s matchday squad included only one Welshman, Will Vaulks, as he was named as a substitute for the Bluebirds.
Vaulks came on for the final 20 minutes, to try and salvage something from the game for Cardiff. The final score was 2-0 to Fulham. Vaulks then featured in the second leg as Cardiff won 2-1 but were unable to claw that final goal back on aggregate.
