Craig Bellamy relaxed over Man Utd youngster Gabriele Biancheri's Wales future
Cardiff-born Biancheri is eligible to play for Canada, where his mother was born, and Italy – birthplace of his father.
The 18-year-old, a regular scorer for United youth teams, was part of Bellamy's training squad in Spain ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Biancheri was not in the Wales squad named on Wednesday for those fixtures with Liechtenstein and Belgium, with the player accepting an invitation to join Canada's training camp prior to June games against Ukraine and the Ivory Coast.
'I like people having options, it's healthy,' Bellamy said of a player capped by Wales from under-16 to under-19 level.
'He's not ready for our squad yet. It's something he'd like to go and have a look at, but I like to think we have done our work as well.
'He has been with us through the younger age groups, he knows what we are about and who we are.
'I don't think it ever hurts someone to have options and to go and explore them. I'm never against that.
'At the end the decision will be his. He knows where we are and where he is. He's not ready for first-team football with us at this moment.
'It's his decision. I've known him since he was very young and I know his family really well. Whatever he does will be the right thing for him, it's not a problem.'
Canada boss Jesse Marsch has praised Biancheri and compared him to his highly rated Lille striker Jonathan David.
The former Leeds boss told Canadian reporters last week: 'He's a dynamic player. He's very good around the goal. You can see he's an intelligent player.
'He's a version of Jonathan David. He's not exactly the same player but he's a striker that can play up on the backline and is also good at coming underneath and connecting plays and being part of the build-up phase.
'I've had good conversations with Gabe and his family. He has several options to think about in what country he wants to represent.
'I think it's really important that the family feels the connection to Canada.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
32 minutes ago
- Reuters
South Korea coach says Son won't be pushed too hard in 2026 qualifiers
June 2 (Reuters) - South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be used sparingly in their World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait as he builds up his match fitness following his return from a foot injury, coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday. South Korea, who lead Group B by three points, face Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final qualifier of the third round against Kuwait five days later. The Koreans will qualify for their 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat by Iraq, who last month appointed former Australia boss Graham Arnold as their head coach. Son has been dealing with the injury for the past two months and was restricted to a substitute's appearance in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final. "He and I have not yet discussed exactly how much he will play. But my staff and I already know all about his drive and his desire to play," Hong told reporters. "Since we have two matches coming up (to try to qualify for the World Cup), I will not push him too hard. Once we get to Iraq, we will decide which of the two matches we will focus on." The 56-year-old said Son's experience would be invaluable in Iraq even if he does not play. "We will probably play in a hostile environment in front of partisan fans," he added. "We have some players who have had experience playing in these situations. It's something we should keep in mind going into the stadium for this match."
BBC News
38 minutes ago
- BBC News
What can we learn from Clarke's fresh-faced Scotland squad?
International friendly: Scotland v IcelandWhen: Friday 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Steve Clarke is no stranger to adapting and evolving as Scotland his six years in charge of the national team, he has chopped and changed the makeup of his squad, reaching two major finals in the process.A place at the World Cup is the next target for Clarke's Scotland, 27 years since their last appearance at the showpiece event in 61-year-old has selected seven uncapped players for this month's friendly matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein as they gear up for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which gets under way in September. Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie and Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig are included, as are midfield trio Connor Barron of Rangers, West Ham United's Andy Irving and Lennon Miller of Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker are the other two players yet to make their full international the face of it, it appears Clarke is looking to the future, but what can we learn from his new-look squad? Blend of youth & experience One thing that stands out, in addition to the numerous uncapped players, is the volume of younger the 25-man squad, 12 are aged 25 or younger with their best years stretching ahead of Ferguson is one of them. The Bologna captain continued his superb story on the continent by winning the Coppa Italia last season, but has struggled for regular starts in the dark blue of his Kenny McLean not included and Ryan Christie recovering from injury, he has an opportunity to stake his place in midfield alongside Billy Johnston, 21, and the returning Nathan Patterson, 23, could be handed opportunities to impress with Anthony Ralston - the other right-back in the squad - second choice at James Wilson and Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway join Bowie as the other youthful striking is still a familiar feel to the spine of the squad though. Wiser heads like captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Serie A MVP Scott McTominay remain, as Scotland seek momentum before the games that matter. Uncertainty remains in goal Not long ago, Scotland had an abundance of quality goalkeeping talent at their one of Craig Gordon, Allan McGregor or David Marshall were comfortable at international days, the resources between the sticks are less plentiful, to say the is now 42 and not included in this squad due to injury. It seems highly unlikely that even a man of his talent and resilience would feature at the 2026 World Cup if Scotland were to get there. Angus Gunn took the gloves at Euro 2024, but has made high-profile errors for both club and country and is now a free agent after being released by Norwich leaves the uncapped Slicker and McCrorie, both with limited experience at club must either back Gunn or put his faith in one of his untested shot stoppers. Which uncapped players might catch Clarke's eye? Of the uncapped players, Miller undoubtedly has the most hype around 18-year-old midfielder has improved at a remarkable rate since making his senior club debut aged just won the PFA Scotland young player of the year award last month after a season in which he scored four goals and assisted seven in 36 is expected to leave Fir Park for a sizeable transfer fee, one which could be bolstered should he make his Scotland bow against Iceland or Liechtenstein."I could maybe, in a couple of months, be the best player there," Miller said after his first Scotland call-up in later clarified his comments, saying the speed of that claim was a "mistake", but reiterating his desire to be the best player he possibly can be. Short of confidence, he is is another who will fancy making an impact, should the opportunity strong and imposing, he scored six goals in his first season for Hibs after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Scotland Under-21s."Any time I watched the Under-21s he always stood out," Clarke said when naming his squad. "He's big, physical and strong with good attributes to his game."Going into the summer, you've got Lawrence Shankland and Kevin Nisbet, I know what they can bring, so it was just to have a look at something a little bit different and see if we can expand the pool of players."You're looking for somebody to catch your eye."
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd pick Fernandes replacement after bid and hint amid Amorim's statement
Bruno Fernandes is mulling over a mammoth offer from Saudi Arabia whilst Manchester United could also benefit financially but Ruben Amorim has made his view very clear Bruno Fernandes' days as a Manchester United player could be numbered with Al-Hilal offering huge sums to lure the player to Saudi Arabia. The skipper has excelled since the appointment of Ruben Amorim, but a move is not out of the question. Around £100million could come United's way if they choose to cash in, whilst the player himself could land weekly sums of £700,000. The Saudi outfit want to add a star name to their squad before the Club World Cup this month - and will spend big to do so. Their interest in Fernandes has been ongoing and it leaves the player and his club with a decision to make. Amid the need for a rebuild, Unitedr could massively benefit from the cash injection. Fernandes will also turn 31 later this year and there continues to be question marks over whether he truly fits into Amorim 's system once he gets the players he wants. His output this season has been sensational, albeit largely in a losing effort. United have endured a dire campaign and they missed out on Europe when they were beaten in the Europa League final. That has placed even more strain on the club's financial situation. However Amorim has told United chiefs to find other ways of making money rather than selling their star man, despite the player himself seriously considering the offer he has in front of him. Amorim claims, through conversations with Fernandes, that the Portugal star wants to stay put. He said: "Of course I am the manager, the coach, but sometimes it is the decision of the player, but of course I talk with him, I explain things and I just have that feeling. When you talk to someone, you have that feeling if he wants to stay. "Of course in a lot of games this season he was so frustrated, but he knows what we are doing. The feeling that I have every time I speak to him is he wants to continue for sure at Man Utd. But you never know." Fernandes has been spotted dining with Portugal pal Joao Cancelo - who has been dubbed a "secret agent" by fans as the former Manchester City full-back looks to convince the United star to join him at Al-Hilal, where fellow Portugal international Ruben Neves is also in the squad. Would Fernandes really go? Well his agent Miguel Pinho has been in Riyadh for talks with senior Al Hilal individuals and those in Saudi see it as a positive sign that discussions have been held. Paul Scholes is among those who admits the sort of sums being offered cannot be turned down. He admitted: "When you're getting £100m for him you snap their hand off and take it.' Fernandes has admitted he would leave Old Trafford if United decided it was in their best interests to cash in. 'If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is,' he said. 'And football sometimes is like this. I have always been honest. I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go." His social media activity has also served to fuel the rumour mill. He recently posted a Portuguese quote on his social media account which translates to: 'If you tried and failed, congratulations! There are people who don't even try.' Can Man Utd find a replacement? Well they are are lining up Sporting Lisbon's attacking midfielder Pedro Goncalves as the man to fill the void that could be left by Fernandes. The Red Devils would have the finances to meet Sporting's £70m valuation of Goncalves if they do cash in. Goncalves plays in a more advanced role than Fernandes after Amorim transformed him into a potent attacking midfielder throughout their time together in Portugal. He can also play out wide, which gives the team more versatility. The £100m they would receive would also help them improve other areas of the pitch. Meanwhile the £62.5m capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolves goes someway to replacing the goals and assists provided by Fernandes - and there's an argument that the Brazilian better suits the 3-4-3 system in Manchester.
