Latest news with #WalesSquad
The Independent
28-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Craig Bellamy relaxed over Man Utd youngster Gabriele Biancheri's Wales future
Craig Bellamy is relaxed with Manchester United striker Gabriele Biancheri joining a Canada training camp – just a week after being with the Wales squad in Spain. 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.'
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Craig Bellamy picks Ronan Kpakio for Wales after failing to buy him for Burnley
Craig Bellamy has revealed he tried to sign Ronan Kpakio at Burnley after naming the Cardiff teenager in his Wales squad. Full-back Kpakio, 18 last Sunday, was the surprise name in Bellamy's 27-strong squad on Wednesday for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium. Kpakio made his first league start for Cardiff on the final day of the season at Norwich after being capped by Wales at various age-grade levels. The right-back – who only turned 18 on Sunday and has captained Wales several times at youth level – has been named in Craig Bellamy's 27-strong squad.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scrum-half Dane Blacker 'excited' to return to Scarlets
Scrum-half Dane Blacker will return to Scarlets this summer after signing from Dragons. The 26-year-old from Ynysybwl spent four seasons in Llanelli, where he scored 15 tries in 56 games and broke into the Wales squad. He left for Dragons in 2023 where he made 33 appearances. "I'm really excited to be returning to the Scarlets – a club I've truly enjoyed playing for in the past," said Blacker. "It feels great to be coming back to such a passionate rugby environment, with incredible fans who always bring energy and support. I'm looking forward to being part of an exciting team and future."
