Almost a year ago to the day, Wales ended their 64-year wait to feature in the FIFA World Cup when Gareth Bale’s deflected free-kick gave the Red Dragons a 1-0 victory over Ukraine in Cardiff. Admittedly, that first appearance on football’s grandest stage didn’t exactly go to plan in the Arabian Gulf, and defeats to England and Iran saw the Welshmen eliminated at the group stages with just a solitary point to their name. But Qatar 2022 is firmly in the rearview mirror, and now all roads lead to Germany for Euro 2024. Betway, whose odds and offers are compared by oddschecker, has given Wales a 4/7 shot at qualifying for the tournament, but there are hardly any guarantees.
That’s because the days of prime Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are now in the past. The former retired from the beautiful game at the conclusion of the aforementioned World Cup, while the latter has found himself exiled to Ligue 1’s Nice, and the 32-year-old has hardly impressed on the French Riviera. He was dropped from the matchday squad for the final four games of the season, and the days of the former Arsenal and Juventus man being one of the best central midfielders in Europe are long gone. As such, new heroes need to rise to the fore if Wales are going to see off Croatia, Turkey, Armenia, and Latvia and qualify for a third consecutive European Championships. Here are two stars however that have been charged with leading a new-look young squad to the promised land.
Brennan Johnson – Nottingham Forest
The brightest young talent within Welsh football at the moment is without a doubt, 22-year-old winger Brennan Johnson. The 18-time Wales international was one of the stars of the show as Nottingham Forest defied the odds to preserve their Premier League status this season. He top-scored for the Tricky Trees with eight goals as well as an additional three assists in an impressive maiden campaign at the pinnacle of English football. He was narrowly pipped by Morgan Gibbs-White to the Player of the Season award at the City Ground this term, however, his performances have triggered Transfermarkt to slap a £30m valuation on the talented prodigy’s young shoulders.
As such, he is now expected to take over the mantle from Gareth Bale and be the creative spark within Robert Page’s side. So far, he has netted twice for the national team, with his goals coming against European powerhouses in the form of the Netherlands and Belgium in the recent UEFA Nations League campaign. Much is expected of young Johnson, and he will be hoping to live up to expectations in the upcoming qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey.
Kieffer Moore – AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore has transitioned into one of Wales’ more senior places following the conclusion of the World Cup and the subsequent retirement of captain Bale. At 30 years of age, the towering target man is expected to lead by example at the top of the pitch, something he has successfully managed to do since his integration into the team prior to the rescheduled European Championships in 2021.
Moore has had to settle for a bit part role in the Premier League this season. He was limited to just 14 starts with the powers that be at the Vitality Stadium preferring young English striker Dominic Solanke up front. But the Cherries’ loss could end up being Wales’ gain. The former Rotherham United loanee should be fresher than most heading into the upcoming fixtures, and that means that we could see him terrorizing defences in the weeks to come.
The game of Kieffer Moore is about much more than goals. Standing at 6 ft 6, he’s a throwback striker rather than a goal machine. Manager Page has been impressed with his ability to hold the ball up as well as his link-up play, and he is expected to bring the aforementioned Johnson into play as often as possible. Should he be successful at that, Wales will be close to their very best, and that connection between the two will be integral to any success that the Welsh have between now and Euro 2024.
