Wales take on England at Wembley on Thursday with home nations pride at stake as Craig Bellamy’s side look to earn the first Welsh win over their neighbours since 1984
Stephen Killen Senior Football Writer
06:00, 09 Oct 2025
Gary Pallister has claimed that no Welsh player would get into Thomas Tuchel’s side.(Image: Getty Images)
Former England international Gary Pallister has claimed that he wouldn’t take any Wales players for the Three Lions squad ahead of their international friendly. The 60-year-old did admit that he is rooting for Craig Bellamy’s side in their bid for World Cup qualification, lauding the former Manchester City and Liverpool forward for bringing the spirit back.
Pallister was a four-time Premier League-winner with Manchester United and featured heavily in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side during their rise to dominance in the 1990s, making 22 appearances for the Three Lions.
However, he feels that when England can leave out the likes of Jude Bellingham from their squad, it says everything about the calibre of players at their disposal compared to Wales.
READ MORE: England confirm major injury blow ahead of Wales clashREAD MORE: Craig Bellamy tells players ‘we’re not here as tourists’ and gives verdict on new arrivals
Wales have a huge World Cup qualifier on the horizon against Belgium, as they look to extend their lead at the top of the group and move a step closer to book their place in the major tournament for the second time in four years.
However, their focus will be home nations’ bragging rights as they walk out at Wembley on Thursday for the first time in five years and the first time in front of fans since 2011.
Both England and Wales are on different trajectories as Bellamy looks to restore the nation as a regular at major competition on the European and global stage.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel has taken the reins and is looking to achieve something none of his predecessors have achieved since 1966, when they lifted the World Cup.
Ahead of Thursday’s friendly, Pallister was asked whether there was any of the current Wales crop that he would have in his England squad, but he sensationally dismissed the prospect with the Three Lions having ‘all the jewels in the crown’.
Despite the rivalry, he still wants to see home nations enjoying success and hopes that they can secure qualification for the World Cup next summer.
“I couldn’t even tell you who is in the Welsh side! I don’t even look at the Welsh team, who is their best player, Kieffer Moore? Listen, we’ve got all the jewels in the crown to pick from with the England squad, it’s very hard,” he exclusively told Wales Online via NewBettingSites.uk.
“When you can leave out somebody like Jude Bellingham then things must be looking up for the England squad because that’s a hell of a call to leave someone out like him.
“I think Craig Bellamy has done a really good job, he’s put spirit back into the team, a bit of pride, whether that’s enough to get them through as they play Belgium after this which is a massive game. I think they’ve done well against them in the past.
“I’d love to see all the home nations teams do well, I’ll be rooting for Wales to beat Belgium and I hope they can qualify, as I do for all the home nations.
“But I don’t think there will be many players that I’ll be picking from the Wales squad to join England.”
Craig Bellamy has brought a huge amount of pride into the Wales camp since becoming head coach(Image: Getty Images)
Wales fans will swarm the English capital looking to transform the city with a sea of red as they take on their neighbours on British soil for the first time since 2011, when Gary Speed’s side were edged out 1-0 during the European Championships qualifying phase.
Since then, the two have met in the Euros and the World Cup with England running out victors on both occasions.
Pallister expects Bellamy’s side to be up for it and believes Cymru supporters will be ‘desperate’ for bragging rights.
He added: “The fans are desperate for the team to do well against England, Scotland and Ireland because we are so close to each other. I used to love the old Home Nations back in the 70s and 80s, that was always something I looked forward to, I think we miss those now.
“It’ll be a little bit extra because you can’t afford to get beat at home to Wales at Wembley. There will be a little bit of feistiness about it because pride’s at stake.
“I’m sure Craig Bellamy will have them right up for it and it’ll be great if they could get something going into that game against Belgium.”