by Wales boss Craig Bellamy has praised Harry Wilson’s professionalism for refusing to “drop the tools” in the face of Fulham’s frustration after their match-winning double against Brentford.
Bellamy made a 15-hour round trip from Cardiff via Llanrwst on the edge of Snowdonia (Eryri) – where he was attending a question and answer session with Wales fans – to watch Wilson at Craven Cottage on Monday evening.
Wilson – who has not made a league start this season – came off the bench after 82 minutes to score twice in stoppage time and give Fulham a memorable 2-1 victory.
A brilliantly executed equalizer, met on the volley and with his back to the Brentford net, was one of the Premier League goals of the season.
“I was there and it was great to see him involved,” Bellamy said after including Wilson in a 26-man squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Turkey and Iceland.
“He’s a player who really impresses me, especially his attitude. I’m sure it’s frustrating for him at Fulham at the moment. But that’s life and sometimes things don’t go as planned.
“This will only change if you work hard. If you lose the tools and things change, you won’t be ready for the opportunity.
“If you continue to work and believe, when it happens, you will see what you have seen. He is a true professional and this does not happen by chance.
“You make your way one way or another, but you can only be ready for your chance if you train hard.
“These moments test you as a human being – you are truly yourself. Then you see the real individual and the real professional.
“If you put in the work and work hard, things will change. You just have to work harder when things don’t go your way.
Wilson has been Wales’ go-to man since Gareth Bale’s retirement in January 2023.
The 27-year-old scored twice in a famous victory over 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia just over 12 months ago.
Wilson has scored in his last three international appearances, becoming the first Wales men’s team player to achieve that goal since Bale.
“Of course there are his two goals (Monday) and the contribution he made to us in the four games,” said Bellamy, who won the last of his 78 caps alongside a 16-year-old Wilson. years old, which debuted in 2012.
“But I love him without the ball. His intelligence and the way he is able to press, his intensity and what he is able to do really tells me how good a player he is.
“I’m a really big fan. It wasn’t easy for him because all the players want to play.
“You can see he’s worked hard because players don’t have that kind of impact if they’re not professional and don’t behave well.
“It shows that he is a serious professional and it is to his credit for that.
“I saw his quality last year when we (Burnley, where Bellamy was assistant coach) played against him and I saw his numbers.
“It surprised us. How does this little kid run and sprint so much? It was elite level, really impressive.
“I was there when he made his debut for Wales and I felt he was a kid who was going to come through and have a big future for Wales. I believe he has done that and so far he is exceptional.
Wales remain without the injured Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu, while fellow midfielder Ollie Cooper has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot.
But Leeds winger Daniel James is available for Bellamy for the first time since returning from a hamstring injury.
“He brings a lot to this team, he really adds to the squad,” said Bellamy, who will oversee Wales’ promotion to the top tier of the Nations League if they secure two final victories.
“He’s had some unfortunate injuries, but he’s an exceptional player. I always loved watching him play for Wales.
“The way we play will really suit him. As a coach, he suits my type of profile perfectly.
“He’s a really threatening player with real speed and high intensity.
“It further adds to the quality we have in these areas and gives us another option.”
