They are led by a Euro 2016 hero, have a Giggs in their starting line-up, and boast a goalscorer who is exciting many at Manchester United.
While Wales’ new era continues under Craig Bellamy, the country’s next generation is making a significant step in Scotland this week.
Containing some names that are already familiar to many and some that could yet prove to be household ones of the future, Wales Under-19s have begun their latest European qualifiers.
Managed by 109-cap defender Chris Gunter, their campaign started with a win against the hosts in Stirling.
They clearly impressed former Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie – whose son, Arsenal’s Brayden Clarke, played at centre-back in the 1-0 win.
“This Wales squad showed signs that this group of players are only going to better,” he posted on X of a team, many of whom – including Clarke – reached the Under-17s Euros finals last summer.
Clarke is not the only former professional’s offspring in the side; Zach Giggs had a hand setting up Wales’ only goal as he donned the same dragon worn 64 times by his father, Manchester United great Ryan.
But, as Wales look ahead to games against France (Saturday, 16 November) and Liechtenstein (Tuesday, 19 November) seeking to progress to the elite round qualifiers in spring and then possibly the first major finals at this age grade, they are not the only youngsters that Welsh football bosses are hoping could be senior stars in the not too distant future.
‘A natural goalscorer’
That certainly includes Manchester United striker Gabriel Biancheri, a talent already said to be very much on Bellamy’s radar.
With Wales having produced several attacking players over the recent years, they have lacked a true goalscoring number nine, something the 18-year-old is very much in the mould of.
Born in Cardiff and a product of his hometown club’s academy, Biancheri was snapped up by United in February 2023 – said to be on the recommendation of former Bluebirds academy chief Dave Hughes, now coaching in the Old Trafford youth set-up.
A player who works hard to defend from the front and with good technical ability, above all Biancheri is described as a natural goalscorer.
The tag has been justified with 17 goals for United’s age-grade sides this season, plus back-to-back goals for Wales in eye-catching recent friendlies against Italy.
There has been noise around Italy been keen on the dual-qualified teenager, though the only talk around the Football Association of Wales (FAW) on Biancheri is simply what an exciting asset he has the potential to become.
The winger who has impressed Wayne Rooney
Biancheri’s six-yard-area finish in Stirling was made possible by the trickery of another attacking prospect who former England captain Wayne Rooney has already called “a defender’s nightmare”.
Plymouth winger Freddie Issaka is another player said to be “right up Craig Bellamy’s street” by one FAW official, with his specialism in one-on-ones and dynamic wide play.
Born in Truro, he became Argyle’s youngest ever player at the age of 15 when he appeared against Newport County in 2021.
He had been involved in England camps at under-16 level before being drafted by Wales and continuing his international development in a red shirt.
Now 18, he has eight senior appearances for Rooney’s Championship side this season including one goal and, like Biancheri, was part of the under-17s team that reached the Euros in Hungary last year.
Giggs among a clutch of players with potential
There are several others who observers say are worth keeping eyes on their progress, including 18-year old Giggs, whose run from deep was the catalyst for the breakthrough in Wales’ Scotland win.
Back in the fold after a difficult spell where he was released by Manchester United last May, the wing-back seems to be growing in confidence after time in the under-18s set-up at Sheffield United.
Also at the back, Derby County’s Dan Cox is being suggested as one to watch, the centre-half key to the under-17s qualifying before missing out on the finals tournament through injury.
The 18-year old is currently enjoying game time on loan at National League South side Enfield, while Vimal Yoganathan is doing similarly with League One Barnsley – becoming the EFL’s first player of Tamil heritage in the process.
His family hail from Sri Lanka, with the young midfielder born and raised in the Flintshire village of Trelawnyd.
Signed by Liverpool at the age of eight, he joined the Tykes after his release in 2021 and has started to catch the eye as a box-to-box midfielder.
And with recent problems in the senior side’s goalkeeping position, there is also hopeful talk around the progress of Wolves’ 18-year-old Lewys Benjamin, once of Cardiff City who was speculated to be a target of Manchester City.
FAW staff – and Bellamy – will hope the progress of all in the squad continues, with officials confident they are in the best hands with their young manager.
Gunter was himself a member of Wales’ ‘golden generation’ alongside Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, a team of impressive youngsters who went on to end the nation’s wait for a major finals.
Always earmarked for a coaching role in the association, there was an eagerness not to lose his potential as a coach when he left his role as an assistant to Rob Page.
With the chance to lead a side himself, the 35-year-old is said to have impressed with his handling of the prospects under his care.
Wales fans will hope all continue to make a name for themselves.