By Harry Corish
Wales may be about to have their first shot at World Cup glory in 64 years, but manager Robert Page, is already looking to a future built around the likes of Brennan Johnson.
As Page prepares for the do-or-die play-off against either Scotland or Ukraine, he also has a mind on the younger generation.
The caretaker boss – whose own deal with Wales only runs as far as the end of the World Cup campaign – has heaped praise on fit-again Kieffer Moore, and believes he can bring something different to the team, but has stressed the importance of preparing the younger players in the squad for the future of Welsh football.
On Thursday, Page named a jumbo 33-man squad as he seeks to navigate a packed month of top-level international football.
With the help of Moore, the manager believes Wales could reach their first World Cup finals since 1958 following the striker’s goal-scoring exploits for Bournemouth which helped send the Cherries back to the Premier League.
“Kieffer Moore being back is massive for us,” said Page.
“He helped Bournemouth over the line with important goals toward the end of the season.
🏴 CARFAN CYMRU 🏴
Five matches. One @FIFAWorldCup play-off final.
🎟 https://t.co/hsH0UFCPVt #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/kAGuWLSiUV
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) May 19, 2022
“He poses a threat for many reasons, it’s not just because of his physicality.
“He’s got a good touch, his hold up play and link up play is excellent and he’s a willing runner.
“With all those attributes I’m not surprised he got the move he did and he is getting the praise he has because he has helped Bournemouth get promoted”.
But Page also has an eye on life beyond this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar with a number of youngsters getting called up to gain experience against some of the best teams in the world in the Nations League.
Wales play Poland away on June 1, before their World Cup showdown four days later.
They then return to their Nations League campaign against Belgium in Cardiff on June 11, with a trip to the Netherlands on June 14.
Page believes the intensity of June – when Wales have four games – will be crucial to prepare the younger players for the inevitable time when they find themselves without behemoths Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey.
“Brennan Johnson is undoubtedly the future of Welsh football. It is important to expose players like Brennan, Reubin and Rabbi Matondo to top class opposition”.
Rob Page says “Brennan Johnson is the future of Welsh football.
“It is important to blood these young players. We need to make sure they are ready for the future of Welsh football.” #Faw #Wales #WorldCupQualifiers #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/fKk8ydGhu0
— Dai Sport (@Dai_Sport_) May 19, 2022
“It may not help us win football games now, but it will inevitably help us win games later down the line.
“The size of the squad replicates the amount of games in quick succession. We are playing top quality opposition, we wanted to play these big teams. But we can’t expect the players we have got to play three days later.
“It is important to blood these young players. We need to make sure they are ready for the future of Welsh football.”
Bangor born Nathan Broadhead, 24, has been included after tearing it up in League One this season for Sunderland.”
The Everton loanee who has scored 10 goals in 20 appearances is hoping to help send the black cats up to the Championship, where his side face Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final on the 21st May.
“I’ve worked with Nathan Broadhead for years in the age grade set up,” added Page.
“He’s been in great form for Sunderland and, despite his injury a few weeks ago, he has a lot of quality.
“He’s had a couple of difficult loan moves, but he has always had that potential. He’s got pace, an eye for goal and this season he has come into his own for Sunderland.
“He’s one to look at for the future and if I can expose him against top quality opposition like Holland and Belgium then I am going to absolutely do it”.
