The key decisions facing Wales boss Ryan Giggs ahead of Nations League squad announcement
Cardiff, Wales 18/11/19. Wales manager Ryan Giggs at Wales v Hungary Match Day 1 Press Conference at Hensol Castle. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Ryan Giggs will next week name his Wales squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Bulgaria and Finland.
The fixtures are to be played behind closed doors, with Wales away in Finland on Thursday, 3 September, before a home match at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 6 September.
In a non-COVID world, this would have been the aftermath of EURO 2020, instead it is Wales’ first match since their 2-0 victory over Hungary in November.
Y Clwb Pêl-Droed’s Jordan Jones analyses the selection headaches facing Giggs ahead of the upcoming announcement.
A recall for Hal Robson-Kanu?
In January, Hal Robson-Kanu reversed his decision to retire from international football, making himself available for selection for the Welsh national team again.
He cited family commitments as his reason for retiring from the international stage, as he missed the EURO 2020 qualifying campaign.
Statistically, the Baggies man cannot be ignored. The 2019-20 season was the 31-year-old’s most prolific goalscoring season of his career.
His 10 goals in 39 appearances played a key part in West Bromwich Albion’s promotion to the Premier League.
So, let’s look at how Robson-Kanu could fit in if he was to be reintroduced.
Robson-Kanu’s preferred position for Wales was as a striker, but he can also play on the wing.
However, in his absence, we’ve seen the likes of Daniel James, David Brooks, Harry Wilson and Rabbi Matondo emerge.
On the wing, there is also Gareth Bale to contend with.
Bale’s best performances for Wales in recent times have come as a left-winger, with Kieffer Moore leading the line up front.
This dilemma of attacking options is a welcome one for Wales, especially when you consider how they have lacked alternative fire power to Bale in recent years.
Does Daniel James deserve a rest?
Despite the Premier League fixtures being released today, Manchester United aren’t to play on the opening weekend of the season.
The Red Devils have been granted a rest due to their Europa League commitments.
On the books of United is Daniel James, who has endured a mixed reception in his maiden season in England’s top flight.
The 22-year-old played 47 times in all competitions, registering four goals and seven assists.
James played in United’s 2-1 win over LASK in the Europa League last 16, but was an unused substitute against Copenhagen in the quarter-final. He was brought on by Ole Gunnar Solskjær for three minutes in their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Sevilla, however.
Given how games will come quick and fast, will United really appreciate one of their players being thrust into international football over this break?
A call-up for Christian Doidge?
Before the pandemic decimated the footballing calendar, Ryan Giggs admitted that Doidge was a player he was considering calling up for the two friendlies against Austria and the USA.
For Doidge, the postponement of the European Championships could be seen as a blessing.
His goalscoring form for Hibernian was impressive, but a mixture of bad luck and timing mean he is yet to experience being a part of the squad.
Now, with the Euros being played in 2021, Doidge has the opportunity to learn the ‘Wales Way’ by integrating himself into the squad, should he get a call-up.
Doidge’s opportunity in March would have come in a friendly setting, whereas the nature of the Nations League allows him to get to grips with competitive football on the international stage.
He also knows full well what it’s like to represent Wales after representing his country in basketball.
The former Carmarthen forward holds an advantage over his competitors going into these two fixtures as well.
Whilst the likes of Moore and Sam Vokes begin pre-season training, Doidge has already begun the season with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
He has already found the net twice in his first four games, as he aims to continue to provide Giggs with a headache by scoring for his club on a regular basis.
Tying down Neco Williams to Wales
Last week, Neco Williams committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new five-year deal.
He become one of the select few Welshmen to win a Premier League title.
Impressively, he did it before making a senior appearance for the Welsh national side.
Now the time has come, Giggs has the chance to tie down Williams to his country of birth by capping him in the Nations League, which is regarded as a competitive fixture.
Williams has played eight times for the Wales under-19s side, but his performances for Liverpool have seen England take an interest in him.
Former Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson sees the Nations League as a perfect opportunity for Williams to make his Wales bow.
“He’s played at the younger levels. I hope that he will commit himself to Wales and I wouldn’t be surprised if he featured in the next two games,” said Hartson to BBC Sport Wales.
“Ideally for himself that [Nations League games] would be great.
“I can’t think of a more exciting era and a group of young players than Ryan Giggs has to choose from right now.“
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell)
