Welsh international Ethan Ampadu is the inspiration for players in manager Paul Bodin’s Wales under-19 squad.
That’s Bodin’s view as he prepares his young Welsh players for Uefa under-19 Championship action.
Chelsea’s Ampadu is 18-years-old and still qualifies for Bodin’s group, but is now playing senior international football.
“For players like Ethan, who is the same age as our boys, to go and play at that level and play outstandingly well is a real incentive for players in my squad,” said Bodin.
“There is an extra spring in their step because they can see what’s happening above them. That’s the challenge and it should be a burning ambition for all the players, especially after what’s happened under the last two managers where they’ve both been prepared to put the young players in.
“The better the boys play the quicker they will progress and earn opportunities at the higher level.”
Bodin believes his side have every chance of reaching the Uefa Elite round of fixtures ahead of hosting the group four qualifiers between Wednesday and Tuesday, November 20.
The first fixture for Wales is against Scotland at Belle Vue, Rhyl on Wednesday, followed by Sweden at the VSM Stadium, Bangor three days later.
Bodin’s boys then complete their qualifying fixtures against San Marino next Tuesday.
“Preparations have gone really well over a long period,” Bodin told FAW.cymru
“Over the last two camps we’ve seen a real progression throughout the group. There are one or two additions and now we’re really looking forward to the competition.”
Bodin’s team competed at the Slovakia Cup earlier this year, played two friendlies against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and defeated Poland 2-0 in a friendly at Bangor City.
“Our opening game against Scotland will be a real tough fixture,” said Bodin. “They are quite a physical side who play good football at the right times.
“Sweden will be a different sort of challenge. They play slightly different football, more controlled, and I’m sure San Marino will park the bus as they say. Three different challenges, three different types of games, but the opening game against Scotland will be a real good test and hopefully we’ll be ready for it.”
Matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl and the VSM Stadium in Bangor are all free entry. Both the group winners and runners-up will advance to next year’s Elite Round. The finals will be held in Armenia in July 2019.
Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County all have players in the squad. The Bluebirds have five selected.
Wales squad: Adam Pryzbek (West Bromwich Albion), George Ratcliffe (Cardiff City), Ryan Reynolds (Cardiff City), Jay Foulston (Newport County), Lewis Collins (Newport County), Morgan Boyes (Liverpool), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Ryan Astley (Everton), Ben Cabango (The New Saints, on loan from Swansea City), Brandon Cooper (Swansea City), Joe Adams (Bury), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Luke Jephcott (Plymouth Argyle), Christian Norton (Southampton), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City), Jack Vale (Blackburn Rovers), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Ryan Stirk (Birmingham City), Sam Bowen (Cardiff City), Dan Griffiths (Cardiff City).
2019 Uefa Championship qualifying round
Fixtures:
Wednesday November 14: Wales v Scotland (Belle Vue, Rhyl, 5pm); Sweden v San Marino (Bangor City, 4pm).
Saturday, November 17: Scotland v San Marino (Belle, Vue, 2pm), Wales v Sweden (Bangor City, 3pm).
Tuesday, November 20: Wales v San Marino (Bangor City FC, 3pm), Sweden v Scotland (Belle Vue, Rhyl, 3pm).