Wales U21 manager Matty Jones has named his squad for their final European qualifier at home to Czechia.
Wales stand on the cusp of qualification for the U21 European Championships next summer. Jones’ side only need a point to guarantee a playoff spot but could seal an automatic qualification spot with a win.
The stakes couldn’t be any higher, and Jones knows just how big the game at Rodney Parade will be next Friday.
“We all feel the magnitude of the game, and the possibilities of what a result could do in terms of our end position. Ultimately, the message to the players will be that this is about us. We know how to be the best version of ourselves, and we’ve showcased that for quite some time now.
“I’m really excited to be playing this home fixture, I had a sense for a long time that it could come down to this final game, and it certainly has.”
SCOTLAND CALL-UP?
Looking at the squad itself, one player not selected is Luton Town striker Joe Taylor.
There has been speculation that Taylor could switch his allegiances to Scotland, but Jones once again eased those fears, saying the forward is still a big part of the U21 project.
“Speculation is one thing. There have been conversations around that, but no one has told me he’s been selected or attempted to be selected by Scotland. I don’t see it as a threat, he’s still on standby for the squad, and we still value Joe’s attributes and qualities.
“The next step for him now is to focus on his football, get a loan move in January, and we want to support him with that.”
Of the names in the squad, it’s Rubin Colwill that once again grabs the attention.
Colwill has been in good form for managerless Cardiff City so far this season and has floated around between Wales’ senior and U21 squad.
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Despite his good start to the season, Jones believes this is a make-or-break year for the Bluebird, and has urged Colwill, who he calls a maverick, to give it his all.
“With Rubin, he’s facing that dilemma of being on the periphery of the Wales squad. He’s got the ability, but he’s got a lot of competition ahead of him, and at the moment, he’s lucky to be able to play in the U21s, and he can fall back in with us and get that international exposure.
“We know it’s going to be a tough 12 months for him moving forward, and one that could make or break his international career. We’re going to give him the full backing and support, and I love watching him every time he plays, because he can make something happen.”
One name that is perhaps new to Welsh fans is that of Josh Farrell.
Farrell, who has already picked up three U21 caps, has Spanish citizenship and came through the academy at Granada.
Now playing in the Spanish fourth tier, Jones is delighted to welcome Farrell back into the fold after a tough year.
“Josh has been a wonderful project for us. He’s a great human being and he’s got a lot of traits that make him a great nine. He’s clinical in front of goal, and we’ve seen that since his return to back to Villanovense.
It’s been a tough 12-month period for him, he’s returned from an ACL injury, but prior to that, he played a key part in our campaign. The start of this campaign was full of hope and ambition for him, and I’ve kept in close contact with Josh over the last few months.
“His main objective has always been to get back into the Welsh squad. He’ll be a big part moving forward if we are to qualify for this tournament.”
CZECHIA CHALLENGE
Wales’ final opponents will be Czechia.
The Czechs can only reach the European Championships via the playoffs, after suffering a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Denmark last time out.
Cian Ashford scored a late winner in the reverse fixture last year, but Jones said his team have grown a lot since then, and says they have to focus on themselves.
“The biggest message from me to the players in this camp is how we manage expectations. As long as we are focused and concentrated on our training objectives firstly, adhering to the tactical gameplan, which we had some success with out in Czechia, but we’ve had close to twelve months of development and growth since that game.
“As a team, we have grown immensely since then, I’m proud of what we’ve done, and the boys deserve to be in this position. We’ve earned the right to be on the verge of qualifying for a major tournament, and it’s a great thing to be a part of.”
WALES U21 SQUAD TO FACE CZECHIA AND SLOVAKIA
Lewys Benjamin (Wolves), Evan Watts (Swansea City)
Fin Stevens (St. Pauli), Alex Williams (Stratford Town), Matt Baker (Newport County), Luca Hoole (Shrewsbury Town), Ed Turns (Brighton), Zac Ashworth (Blackpool), Tom Davies (Cardiff City)
Cameron Congreve (Bromley), Owen Hampson (Sheffield United), Eli King (Stevenage), Oli Hammond (Oldham Athletic), Joel Cotterill (Swindon Town), Charlie Savage (Reading), Charlie Crew (Leeds United), Joel Colwill (Cheltenham Town), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City)
Cian Ashford (Cardiff City), Josh Thomas (Bromley), Chris Popov (Barrow), Josh Farrell (CF Villanovense)
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