New Wales boss Craig Bellamy names Aaron Ramsey as captain before hailing Liverpool teen star Lewis Koumas
AARON RAMSEY will remain Wales captain but has been told to inspire Liverpool whizkid Lewis Koumas.
New Dragons boss Craig Bellamy named his first squad on Wednesday with Ramsey leading a 24-man party into next month’s Nations League ties with Turkey and Montenegro.
Bellamy is adamant Cardiff midfield star Ramsey, 33, who has not played for Wales in almost a year, can make a positive impact on the likes of Stoke loanee Koumas, 18.
Rambo has suffered a series of injuries since his last international against Latvia in September 2023.
The 84-cap ace missed the summer friendlies with Gibraltar and Slovakia.
But he has completed 90 minutes in each of Cardiff’s three opening Championship matches this season.
Bellamy said: “He will be captain. I didn’t see any reason to change that for the time being.
“I understand the role of the captaincy as I was captain for Wales through all the age groups and into the senior team.
“I’m aware of what he’s doing, his training programmes. You can’t doubt his quality.
“We’re talking about one of the best players to ever play for Wales.
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“A player that’s represented Arsenal, he’s won cups, played in a World Cup, gone to Juventus and his experience with Nice.
“Young players are aspiring to be him and he can help them with that.
“If you watch his attitude and the details of what he does, that’s what has allowed him to play at a top level for so long.
“That’s great to have around. He’s still got football in him.”
Ramsey recovered from a horrific leg break after a shocking challenge by Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross in 2010 to play at three major tournaments for Wales and the next target is the 2026 World Cup.
Bellamy, who kicks off his reign against the Turks in Cardiff a week on Friday, added: “He was able to come back from that and for what he has achieved in his career tells me he is mentally strong.
“He still has a lot to offer and the way we want to play will help him a lot and be perfect for him. I still see a good footballer.”
Koumas, the son of ex-Wales midfielder Jason, is on loan at Stoke from Arne Slot’s Reds.
The teen striker made his international bow in the friendly double-header in June, ex-boss Robert Page’s final matches in charge.
The two-cap ace scored against West Brom in the league last Saturday as well as Tuesday’s 5-0 Carabao Cup win at Middlesbrough.
Bellamy added: “I’ve got young Lewis who wants to become one of the top players. He’s just unbelievable to watch.
“He’s fearless and I love that type of profile and player.
“His father was incredible but I hope his attitude is better and he takes himself more seriously.
“Every time he gets the ball then something positive happens. They are the players you love to coach.
“I’m sure he would have looked up to Aaron for a number of years.
“Now he gets to see what elite really looks like and I’d like to believe that will develop him quicker. He gets to see his actions, hear him talk and get certain information.
“I was lucky I had Mark Hughes, Gary Speed, senior players who I had admired from afar, I caught the end of Ian Rush, who was my hero.
“I was able to pick up little bits and see what a serious player was. It benefitted me.”
Wales squad
Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Karl Darlow
Ben Davies, Owen Beck, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts
Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Aaron Ramsey, Ollie Cooper, Sorba Thomas
Kieffer Moore, Lewis Koumas, Brennan Johnson, Harry Wilson, Daniel James, Mark Harris, Liam Cullen, Rabbi Matondo