The Dragons are playing their first major international tournament after 57 years and many are tipping them to be the surprise packages of the tournament. A team which has plenty of star power, Wales on their day can upset the best of sides. Playing in a refreshing new system under their head coach Chris Coleman, Wales have become a formidable team.
With plenty of players to choose from, we try to predict the starting XI of Wales for the Euros.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Daniel Ward (Liverpool), Owain Fon Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)
Defenders: Ashley Williams (Swansea City), James Chester (West Bromwich Albion), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), James Collins (West Ham United), Chris Gunter (Reading), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Jazz Richards (Fulham)
Midfielders: Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace), Joe Allen (Liverpool), David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), George Williams (Fulham), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Andy King(Leicester City)
Forwards: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), David Cotterill (Birmingham City), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Simon Church (Milton Keynes Dons), Sam Vokes (Burnley)
Goalkeeper
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey will most probably be the first choice for the Dragons. The Welshman has had a decent season for his club, and enjoys the faith of his manager Coleman. Henessey is blessed with good height and he commands the box very well.
Hennessey was considered to be one of the most promising goalkeepers in the Premier League, but he suffered a minor dip in form at Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, this season he has convinced Alan Pardew that he is the best choice for Crystal Palace with some calm and composed displays under pressure.
Hennessey will be expected to play a key role in Wales’ Euro 2016 campaign.
Defenders
Since Wales are most likely to play in the 3-4-2-1 formation, they will go with three at the back with two full-backs. The captain of Wales side Ashley Williams is certain to start at the heart of the defence. The Swansea City defender has been a consistent performer for many years now in the Premier League.
Another Premier League veteran James Collins will most likely take the second centre-back position. The Welsh man has played for West Ham since 2012 and has performed consistently whenever he has been called upon.
Young Tottenham left-back Ben Davies will most probably be the third defender in the 3 man back line. The Tottenham man is solid defensively and he can prove to be a solid option for Chris Coleman.
Their two attacking wing back are crucial to the system they play and on the left flank the person most likely to start for Wales is Swansea City left-back Neil Taylor. Taylor is an extremely attacking full-back and is capable of putting in some extremely dangerous crosses.
On the right-hand flank, Ashley Richards is tipped to start. The young Fulham right-back is full of pace and his lung-bursting runs up and down the flank will be crucial for Coleman’s system to work effectively.
Midfielders
One of the key players in the Wales squad, Joe Allen will be playing in the central midfielder role. The Liverpool man is capable of maintaining possession and effectively circulates the ball whenever required. Although the nickname ‘Welsh Xavi’ might be a step too far, Joe Allen definitely has the quality to play in the centre for the Dragons.
The person playing alongside Allen will be Leicester City’s Andy King. Although he was not an undisputed starter under Claudio Ranieri, King did make some crucial contributions to Leicester City's miraculous title triumph. King had 25 appearances for the Foxes last season and with Joe Ledley just returning from a horrific leg injury, it looks very likely that Andy King will start along with Joe Allen.
The midfielders will be expected to help out the defence as well and Joe Allen’s ability to get stuck in will be crucial for Coleman.
Forwards
The two forwards just behind the striker will be the star-studded duo of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Gareth Bale is undoubtedly the star player of Wales and he will be hoping to make a huge impact on this tournament. The Real Madrid star is blessed with blistering pace and a wicked left foot whioh is capable of winning any football match.
The other global star of the Wales side is Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey together with Bale will walk into most teams and Wales will be looking for their most of their creativity and goals through this awesome duo. Ramsey and Bale have been crucial in Wales’ qualification campaign and Coleman will be hoping that the duo conitinues to perform at the same level in France.
Leading the line will be Reading’s striker Hal Robson-Kanu. Although not overly prolific his influence on the overall attacks and team-play is indispensable. Robson Kanu’s ability to fit into Coleman’s system makes him an invaluable part of the Welsh set-up.
In all likelihood, Wales will line up in their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation:
