Wales broke new territory in reaching the 2022 World Cup, although you will be hard pressed to find many supporters shouting about their achievements in Qatar.
A chaotic collapse in stoppage time to be beaten 2-0 by Iran was followed by a meek exit at the hands of bitter rivals England, a 3-0 defeat to signal the end of Wales’ first World Cup journey in 64 years, gone in a whimper rather than a bang. They cannot wait that long for another crack at world football’s top table.
The frustration in Qatar was that Wales didn’t do themselves justice, although by their own admission neither Gareth Bale nor Aaron Ramsey were playing their best football. The Euro 2016 vintage has all but reached its sell-by date; now here comes the new generation.
That is headed up by Brennan Johnson, the Nottingham Forest forward who will now be tasked with stepping into Bale’s shoes following the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star’s retirement from football. That’s a sizeable task, of course, given Bale’s status as arguably the greatest British footballer of all time; with 111 caps, 40 international goals and three major tournament appearances of him, he is unquestionably the greatest Welsh footballer ever.
Johnson is still a 21-year-old kid who, less than two years ago, was on loan at Lincoln City. But he has the backing of manager Rob Page as Wales prepare to begin their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign against Croatia and Latvia.
Wales will be without experienced pair Ben Davies or Wayne Hennessey for these matches, while Johnson’s own participation is doubtful due to a groin injury. But when the time comes, Page insists, Johnson will be ready.
“Brennan is a top player,” he said.
“He’s arguably one of the best counter-attacking centre-forwards in the Premier League at this moment.
“His journey in the last two years since we brought him up to the first team has been really impressive. But we have to manage that with young players.”
On the pressure of stepping up to fill the Bale-shaped void, Page rightly argues it’s unfair to draw up comparisons, but has no doubt Johnson possesses the bloodymindedness to succeed as Wales’ new figurehead.
“Top players deal with pressure. He will be fine with that,” he added.
“Gareth was one on his own, world-class, absolutely. Brennan still has a lot of developing and improving to do. He is showing great potential at this moment, but we can’t compare him to Gareth. They are different types of players.
“There’s no expectations from us, he just needs to keep playing how he has been and he will continue to create chances.”
Johnson’s Nottingham Forest teammate Neco Williams (also 21) will be alongside him at the heart of this Welsh evolution led by Page, who signed a four-year contract before the World Cup to keep him in the job until 2026, and new captain Ramsey who is now a lone elder statesman in a rookie squad.
Swansea striker Liam Cullen, 23, was one of three players drafted in this week to replace Davies and Hennessey and to account for Johnson’s niggle. He is one of seven players who could make their international debut in these upcoming matches.
“It’s not just Brennan that has to come in now and step up to the plate, it’s an opportunity for the others around him to take that responsibility,” Page added.
“We want success. The biggest thing for us now is we don’t just hope with the question, ‘can we qualify?’.”
Wales squad for EURO 2024 qualifiers versus Croatia and Lativa
Goalkeepers: Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Tom King
Defenders: Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Oliver Cooper, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Connor Roberts, Morgan Fox
Midfielders: Sorba Thomas, Jordan James, Nathan Broadhead, Wesley Burns, Aaron Ramsay (captain), Joe Morrell, Harry Wilson
Forwards: Daniel James, Kieffer Moore, Luke Harris, Brennan Johnson, Tom Bradshaw, Liam Cullen, Mark Harris
With an expanded 24-team Euros and the World Cup set to follow suit with 48 teams invited to the 2026 competition, Welsh hopes of continuing their recent appearances at major tournaments are increased.
But qualifying alone isn’t enough anymore. This new-look Wales squad, inspired by Bale and spearheaded by Johnson, wants more.
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