Harry Wilson has made no secret of his relief. The Wales captain told the BBC he is "delighted" Craig Bellamy turned down the chance to take over at Burnley and will instead lead Wales into Nations League A this autumn — and the numbers behind that satisfaction are worth spelling out.

Wilson, 29, has scored 12 of his 17 Wales goals in the past three years (a span that broadly maps onto Bellamy's tenure), and hit 10 in 36 Premier League appearances for Fulham last season — his best single-season return in the top flight. For a player who describes himself as being in the prime of his career, continuity of coaching matters.

"I think since he's come in, 18 months, two years ago, he's definitely made me a better player," said the Wrexham-born forward. "He's definitely made our country a better team. The way he plays, the ideas he's got across to us — if you ask everyone in that squad, they'll say the same."

Burnley talks collapse, Wales benefit

Bellamy had been strongly linked with a return to Turf Moor in June after Burnley were relegated from the Championship (so the move would have taken him to League One football rather than the top flight). Ultimately no agreement was reached, and Wilson is candid about where his sympathies lie.

"From a selfish point of view, I'm delighted that he stayed," he said. "We've got a massive Nations League campaign and then beyond that a home Euros as well."

Wales face Portugal, Denmark and Norway in Nations League A from September — a step up in class that makes a settled coaching setup all the more valuable.

Elland Road's Welsh colony

Wilson's own move to Leeds United — confirmed on a free transfer after his contract with Fulham expired — was shaped in part by the Welsh contingent already at the club. Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Charlie Crew and expected debutant Jayden Lienou are all at Elland Road, giving Bellamy a convenient hub for squad monitoring.

Wilson said Ampadu, Leeds captain and his Wales team-mate, played a "biggest" role in persuading him to head to Yorkshire. "He's been on to me a lot, just like he was last summer as well," Wilson said. "Hearing what the boys had to say about the club, the city, the fans — that made the decision a bit easier."

Wilson joined Fulham from Liverpool for £12m in 2022 (following a loan spell there earlier in his career) and now arrives in the Championship on a free — a market rating that the 69-cap international will be keen to reset quickly.

The Bale question

Inevitably, comparisons with Gareth Bale surface whenever Wales discuss their talisman. Wilson bats them away firmly. "I don't think anyone in our country ever will live up to the standards and quality that Bale showed," he said. "He dragged us through games and produced moments that only a few in the world can."

What Wilson does accept is the broader responsibility — being the experienced leader rather than the emerging talent. "I feel like I've gone from one of the younger lads to one of the senior ones quite quickly, especially on the international stage," he said. "I feel really good, really fit and strong."

With 12 goals in three years at international level and a best-ever domestic scoring season behind him, the trajectory is pointing in the right direction. Bellamy staying to oversee the next phase of it will suit both men.

Frequently asked

Why did Craig Bellamy not take the Burnley job?
Bellamy held talks with Burnley in June but the two parties could not reach an agreement, so he remained as Wales head coach.
How many Welsh players are at Leeds United?
At least six senior Welsh internationals are at Elland Road — Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Charlie Crew and Harry Wilson — along with Wales Under-19 defender Jayden Lienou.
Who are Wales playing in Nations League A?
Wales are in Nations League A Group alongside Portugal, Denmark and Norway, with the campaign due to begin in September 2025.