England: Craig Bellamy sends Wales rivalry message ahead of Home Nations friendly clash | OneFootball

Three Lions take on fellow Home Nation in midweek friendly

Wales manager Craig Bellamy insists Wales and England are “not rivals”, because they are not playing at the same level on a “consistent basis”.

Wales are ranked 30th in the world, 26 places below their hosts, who have won all of their last seven meetings including group-stage games at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

Bellamy told a press conference on Wednesday that he had trawled back through the archive of old Borussia Dortmund matches from when Thomas Tuchel was manager as part of his preparation for taking on Tuchel’s England.

Bellamy said Tuchel will have success with England by finding the right system, not necessarily by prioritising the best players and insisted “it is normal” for the English media and supporters to expect an England manager to deliver the World Cup trophy.

England and Wales, he said, are “not rivals”, because “you have to be two top teams going at each other over a consistent basis — and we're not.”

Asked whether he has enjoyed preparing to face Wales, Bellamy said: “A lot. It has been really enjoyable. I don’t believe in friendlies. We’re not here to play a friendly.

“One or two boys are carrying niggles. It’s nothing different from any other camp. If we feel they’re good to go tomorrow, then we’ll go that way.

“We’re here tomorrow to come and play, and to play our brand of football the way we play it — at an incredible place like Wembley, which it is. We’re not here as tourists to enjoy the occasion. No.”

Harry Kane did not train for England on Wednesday and is a major doubt.

Tottenham defender Ben Davies has been on the bench a number of times this season but is yet to make an appearance for Spurs since the summer.

Ahead of earning what would be his 99th cap for Wales, 32-year-old Davies said: “We’re playing against a top-ten nation, and ultimately we want to test ourselves against the best teams. We’ve worked hard this week and feel we’re as prepared as we can be.

“England are a brilliant team. There are definitely plenty of other teams I’d rather be playing than England.”

He added: “I think there’s a confidence within the group that we will be able to put a better show on than last time.”