Tyler Roberts is in with a chance of being the first Leeds United player to experience competitive action at this summer's Euro 2020 tournament, as Wales start their campaign today against Switzerland in Baku.
Roberts has enjoyed being a regular in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad this year, as the Whites secured a ninth placed finish in the Premier League following their return. Having scored in the final away game of the campaign, Tyler now heads to the Wales squad with his confidence high.
Who is in charge of Wales?
The Dragons will be coached by Rob Page at the tournament. The defender was capped 41 times by his nation during his 18-year professional playing career and is well known in Yorkshire, having represented both Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town during that time.
When page turned to management, his first role was with Port Vale, before then going on to manage Northampton Town. A two-year spell in charge the Wales U21s side followed, with the 46-year-old now taking over at the helm of the senior squad in a caretaker capacity.
So far during Page’s tenure, he has overseen two competitive wins which both came in recent Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. In both matches, the caretaker coach brought on Roberts from the bench to play a part in securing the points.
Who are Wales playing?
Facing Roberts and his teammates in Group A will be Turkey, Italy and Switzerland.
If we are to see a repeat of the Welsh sides heroics from the Euro 2016 tournament in France, they will have to overcome what appears to be a competitive group with an out and out favourite within it.
Saturday 12th June, 2021 - Baki Olimpiya Stadionu, Baku
Wales vs Switzerland - 14:00
Wednesday 16th June, 2021 - Baki Olimpiya Stadionu, Baku
Turkey vs Wales - 17:00
Sunday 20th June, 2021 - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Italy vs Wales - 17:00
How many times has Roberts played for Wales?
Tyler has 14 Wales caps to his name thus far and he will be hoping to add to that tally before the tournament begins.
The forward most recently played 71 minutes of Wales' 0-0 draw against Albania last week, their final friendly ahead of the European Championships.
How did Wales get on last time out, at Euro 2016?
At Euro 2016, Chris Coleman’s Wales side were one of the surprise packages of the tournament and won over the hearts of their nation, whilst gaining many more admirers across the globe as they reached the semi-finals of the competition.
They progressed from their group with wins over Slovakia and Russia, either side of a last-minute defeat to England. Their first knock-out win was a 1-0 success over Northern Ireland, before then shocking one of the favourites in Belgium in the quarter-final, winning 3-1.
The semi-final against eventual winners Portugal was to be a step too far as they lost 2-0, but the side were welcomed back as heroes upon their return to the country.
Who else is in the Wales squad?
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.
Chris Gunter, Ben Davies, Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, James Lawrence, Neco Williams, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Cabango.
Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams, Harry Wilson, Daniel James, David Brooks, Joe Morrell, Matt Smith, Dylan Levitt, Rubin Colwill.
Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Tyler Roberts.
