Euro 2020: Strongest possible Wales XI

Wales vs Hungary - UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier
Wales vs Hungary - UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier

The radiant memories of Wales' Euro 2016 fairytale campaign seem to contradict the current team's mood in the build-up to Euro 2020. Interim manager Rob Page has done everything in his capacity to sway his team away from the controversy surrounding Ryan Giggs.

Wales have had an encouraging run of form under Page, winning four of their last six games. The Dragons edged out the likes of Hungary and Slovakia in the qualifiers to qualify for Euro 2020, where they've begun their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

Rob Page's side have a plethora of young Premier League talents in their ranks. The likes of Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Neco Williams are complemented by the experience of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies.

Wales are a side who are expected to utilise the wings to their advantage and be quick with the ball on the counter, thus making it imperative Rob Page to pick an XI with a lot of pace.

Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Update on Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho, Chelsea's plans for Hakimi, and more.

On that note, let's take a look at the strongest possible XI for Wales at Euro 2020:

Goalkeeper: Danny Ward (Leicester City)

Wales vs Northern Ireland - International Friendly
Wales vs Northern Ireland - International Friendly

Rob Page does not have the luxury of picking a shot-stopper with a commendable domestic season behind him. Both Wayne Hennessey and Danny Ward failed to get any considerable amount of playing time with their Premier League clubs. So it could solely boil down to who has the better training session ahead of a Matchday.

Ward made only five appearances for Leicester City, while Hennessey played just once for Crystal Palace and was injured for the rest of the season.

However, if Page has to pick one of the two, Ward should get the nod because of his heroics against France in a 3-0 loss, days before Euro 2020. He also started in Wales' Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland too.


Left-back: Ben Davies (Liverpool)

Ben Davies
Ben Davies

Ben Davies plays primarily as a left-back but can also shift to a central defensive role if needed.

Davies is capable of firing the ball into midfield, delivering lofted passes behind the opposition defence. He can also put out balls onto the far side of the pitch with his vision and excellence to break the zonal marking lines of the opposition.

The Spurs player has been capped 61 times by Wales, five of these games coming at Euro 2016.

Centre-back: Joe Rodon (Tottenham Hotspur)

Joe Rodon
Joe Rodon

The Swansea City academy graduate likes to play with the ball and is an excellent passer. Rodon keeps the ball well and support his defensive midfielders. He can also find pockets of space down the wings, especially on the left side.

Joe Rodon has been capped 15 times by Wales.


Centre-back: Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea)

Ethan Ampadu
Ethan Ampadu

Ethan Ampadu is an ideal modern-day centre-back. He is confident on the ball and is strong in both aerial and ground duels. Ampadu primarily plays as a centre-back but can also take up the role of a central defensive midfielder.

Despite being 20, Ampadu has already played 24 games for Wales.


Right-back: Neco Williams (Liverpool)

Neco Williams
Neco Williams

Dubbed as the next Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams forms the creme of the next generation of homegrown Liverpool and Wales talent.

Williams likes to venture upfield down the right flank and is a good passer of the ball. The 20-year-old has been capped 11 times by Wales.


Also Read: Paul Merson's 5 surprise contenders for the Player of the Tournament award.

Left Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey (Juventus)

Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey

The Juventus midfielder could play a pivotal role for Wales in left midfield at Euro 2020.

Aaron Ramsey is good on the ball and tends to make darting diagonal runs inside the centre, forcing the opposition to open up. The 30-year-old has been capped 64 times by Wales, which includes five games at Euro 2016.


Central Midfielder: Joe Allen (Stoke City)

Joe Allen
Joe Allen

Joe Allen's ability to play with composure and vision and contribute in offence has made Brandon Rodgers tout him as the 'Welsh Xavi.'

Allen is not overly physical but is highly technical on the ball, finding little spaces behind opposition defences with ease. The 31-year-old has been capped 60 times by Wales.


Right Midfielder: Harry Wilson (Liverpool)

Harry Wilson
Harry Wilson

Harry Wilson has provided a lot of assists during his loan stints at Bournemouth and Cardiff City.

Wilson has excellent positional awareness and walks into pockets of space between defenders. With creative, positional and scoring ability, Wilson might be the differential option for Rob Page in the Wales midfield at Euro 2020.

Wilson, who has earned 26 international caps with Wales, had a good season on loan at Cardiff City, scoring seven goals and 11 assists in 37 Championship games


Right Winger: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale

Euro 2020 might be the final major international tournament for the Real Madrid winger, so Gareth Bale could look to make the most out of it.

Bale likes to drift into striking positions from his position in the wings to score goals. He also likes to take the play into central areas rather than the wide ones to narrow down the opposition.

Bale had a decent stop-gap season at Tottenham Hotspur and arrives fresh at Euro 2020. The 31-year-old has scored 33 goals and provided 18 assists in 93 appearances for Wales.


Striker: Kieffer Moore (Cardiff City)

Kieffer Moore
Kieffer Moore

Kieffer Moore is a typical target man with a massive physique and exemplary aerial prowess. His Cardiff City teammates often use long balls to find him in the deep.

Moore will be crucial in scoring offensive headers off set-pieces. He scored Wales' equaliser against Switzerland in their Euro 2020 opener off a header.


Left Winger: Daniel James (Manchester United)

Daniel James
Daniel James

Daniel James can play on both wings but has been used as a left winger in the few games he has earned at Manchester United.

James is known for his agility, explosiveness and speed, which would be crucial for Wales, as they will likely rely on wing-play at Euro 2020. He is among the fastest players in the Premier League and is more of a runner with the ball than a dribbler.

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