Wales 2016 European Championships squad – Where are they now?

4 years ago today, Chris Coleman picked his squad for the European Championships in France, little did we know the adventure that Wales would go on in their first major competition for 58 years, so where are the 23 players that were chosen to represent their country now?

Wayne Hennessey – Hennessey is still with Crystal Palace, the club he was with in 2016 and his still his country’s no.1 goalkeeper. Hennessey was instrumental in Wales’ qualification for the 2016 and 2020 tournament, however minutes for his club have now dropped dramatically due to the emergence of Vicente Guaita. Having earned 89 caps so far, Hennessey is in with a great shout of usurping Chris Gunter’s record as Wales’ most capped player.

Owain Fon Williams – Playing at Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the time of his call-up, after moving to the Scottish Highlands from Tranmere Rovers, he’s spent a large part of his international career as a back-up keeper, winning only 1 cap in a 2015 friendly against Netherlands. The Dyffryn Nantlle born keeper had a spell in USA in 2018 with Indy Eleven before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academical in June 2019, Williams joined Dunfermline Athletic on a loan basis in January 2020.

Danny Ward – The third of three North Walians that made the trip to France for the tournament, Ward was with Liverpool at the time, having returned from a loan spell with Aberdeen, having signed for Liverpool in 2012, he rarely played for the club, going out on loan numerous times, instrumental in Huddersfield Town’s promotion to the Premier League in 2016-17. Ward is currently with Premier League club Leicester City in a back-up role to Kasper Schmeichel.

Chris Gunter – One of the most reliable members of the 2016 squad, Gunter made his Wales debut in 2007 in his first season of senior football, during the 2016 competition Gunter played every minute as Wales reached the semi-finals. Gunter was with Reading in 2016 and is still every present for them to this day, having had his career at the Royals resurrected after the appointment of Mark Bowen as manager in 2019.

Neil Taylor – Taylor was at Swansea City when called up for the Euros, having signed for the Swans in 2010 from fellow Welsh club Wrexham, Coleman’s formation set-up meant that Taylor and former Swansea team mate Ben Davies could play in the same side having previously battled for the left-back place. Taylor scored in the 3-0 victory over Russia at Toulouse during the Championships and is currently with Premier League side Aston Villa after helping them win promotion via the play-offs for the 2019-20 season.

Ben Davies – Having made his debut for Wales in 2012, while at Swansea City, Davies joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 and is ever present with the North London club. At the Championships in 2016, Davies rarely looked out of position as he played in an unfamiliar position of centre-back, usually playing at left-back, Chris Coleman found a way to involve Davies and Neil Taylor in the same starting XI. Davies has made 52 caps for his country and signed a new 5-year contract with Tottenham in 2019.

James Chester – At West Bromwich Albion at the time of the 2016 competition, Chester had played most of the 2015-16 season in an unfamiliar role as right-back under fellow Welshman Tony Pulis, but that didn’t hinder his form at the Championships as he played in all 6 games in his usal position of centre back. Chester left the Baggies shortly after the competiton to sign for Aston Villa. Since his debut for Wales in 2014, Chester has earned 35 caps and is currently on a loan spell with Championship side Stoke City.

Ashley Williams – Captain fantastic for the European Championships as he led Wales to the semi-finals in their first ever apperance at the competition. Williams scored the equaliser in the quarter final, a thumping header beating Thibaut Courtois as Wales beat Belgium 3-1. Williams was at Swansea City at the time of the tournament before moving on to Everton. Williams has won 86 caps for his country after making his debut in 2008, Williams is currently with Championship club Bristol City as they look to win promotion to the Premier League.

Jazz Richards – Is in a rare group of players having played for Swansea City and Cardiff City, but hasn’t fulfilled the early promise that he showed during his time with the Swans. Richards was with Fulham at the time of his call-up but soon after the competition, he signed for Cardiff and was part of the squad that won promotion to the Premier League for the 2018-19 season. Still at Cardiff, Richards made his full international debut in a friendly loss to Mexico in 2012 and has won 14 caps to date.

James Collins – The ‘Ginger Pele’ was Wales’ second oldest player at the Championships behind David Vaughan at the age of 32, his experience was invaluable in helping Wales reach the semi-finals. Collins was with West Ham United at the time of the 2016 Championships and was a cult hero with The Hammers, currently he is a free agent after being released from a short-term contract with Ipswich Town at the end of the 2018-19 season following their relegation from the Championship. Collins retired from international football in 2017 after winning 51 caps and scoring three times for Wales.

Joe Allen – Without Joe Allen, it would’ve been difficult for Wales to get out of the group stages let alone reach the last four. A vital part of the side under Chris Coleman, Allen has been proclaimed the ‘Welsh Pirlo’ due to his composure and vision on the ball. Allen made his debut for Wales in 2009 in a friendly against Estonia. At Liverpool at the time of the Championships, Allen moved on to Stoke City after returning from France. Still at Stoke, it’s a bit of a shock to Welsh fans that Allen is still playing at Championship level. A blessing in disguise for Allen was the postponement of the 2020 European Championships as he had sustained an injury and was ruled out.

Andy King – King came into the tournament off one of the greatest shocks in football history as a part of the Leicester City side that won the 2015-16 Premier League title. Mainly King made substitute appearances at the 2016 European Championships and is a cool-headed operator on the ball and knows how to run the game out while his side are leading. King is still with Leicester but recent years have seen him out on loan with Swansea City, Derby County and Rangers, the midfielder has won 50 caps and scored two goals for his country.

Aaron Ramsey – Along with Joe Allen, Ramsey was named in the team of the tournament for the 2016 European Championships and finished as the joint-highest assist provider along with Eden Hazard. Ramsey was at Arsenal at the time of the tournament and was fantastic during his spell with the North Londoners, however wasn’t appreciated by the fans of the club. Ramsey can play anywhere in the midfield and can adapt his game accordingly to support those behind him or in front of him and has been described by Arsene Wenger as a complete midfielder. In February 2019, Ramsey signed a contract with Italian giants Juventus for the 2019-20 season and Welsh football fans will hope he can have the same impact as fellow Welsh international John Charles at Turin. After making his debut in 2008, Ramsey has won 60 caps and scored 16 goals for Wales.

David Edwards – A reliable part of Coleman’s previous squads and was with Championship club Wolverhampton Wandereres at the time of his call-up. Edwards had spent most of his international career coming off the bench due to the fantastic talents of midfielders competing for the same spots but has always been a great asset to the Welsh squad during his career and capable of changing the game. During his international career, he won 43 caps and scored 3 goals and retired from international football in 2018. Currently Edwards is in his second spell with League One Club Shrewsbury Town.

Joe Ledley – Many thought that Ledley wouldn’t be a part of the squad for the 2016 European Championships, but the midfielder with the help of oxygen chambers made a miracilous recovery from a broken leg to make the squad. The engine of the midfield, Ledley’s work rate and fitness levels means he was a constant nuisance for opponents and was instrumental in Wales’ run to the last four. Ledley was with Premier League side Crystal Palace in 2016 and Premier League experience was vital for Wales during the tournament. Ledley is currently with Australian side Newcastle Jets having signed for them in February 2020 after spells with Championship clubs Derby County and Charlton Athletic.

Jonny Williams – Williams’ career has constantly been dogged by injuries and has been full of loan spells, however when the midfielder is fit, he’s a wonderful player. Affectionally called ‘Joniesta’ by the fans for his ability on the ball and the fact he rarely loses it, Williams was at MK Dons when called up by Coleman for the 2016 tournament, and after numerous loan spells away from Crystal Palace, he left the club for Championship club Charlton Athletic for the 2019-20 season. Williams has won 21 caps for Wales since his debut in 2013 against Scotland
David Vaughan – An unused substitue throughout the competition but always done the job when asked of him for his country, Vaughan was with Nottingham Forest at the time of his call up, and retired shortly after Wales were eliminated from the competition. Vaughan had himself an interesting career which included a spell with Spanish club Real Sociedad but is currently without a club after lastly playing for Notts County in 2019.

Hal Robson-Kanu – Thomas Henry Alex Robson-Kanu will forever be etched in the minds of Welsh football fans for his exploits at Euro 2016, he scored the winner in the first group game against Slovakia but it’s his goal in Lille the reason why he will be remembered for years to come. Scoring a goal like he did is great, to do it in what was possibly the most important game in your country’s history is what dreams are made of. A fantastic Cruyff turn on the edge of the box, making a mockery of the Belgian defence before slotting the ball past Thibaut Courtois put Wales 2-1 up and into dreamland. Robson-Kanu didn’t even have a club at the time of Euro 2016, currently he’s with Championship club West Bromwich Albion, hoping to be a Premier League player for the 2020/21 season. Robson-Kanu announced his retirement from international football in 2018 but reversed that decision in 2020, currently he’s won 44 caps and scored 5 goals for his country.

Gareth Bale – Undoubtedly one of the finest players of his generation, and can produce moments of magic at any time. He became the world’s most expensive player when signing for Real Madrid in 2013 and has certainly lived up to that expectation during his time at the Spanish capital. Became the first Welsh player since Terry Medwin to score at a major tournament at Euro 2016 after netting in the first game against Slovakia. Bale also scored in the group games against England and Russia, he also became the first player to score two free-kicks at an European Championships since Germany’s Thomas Hasler in 1992. On 22 March 2018, Bale became Wales’ all time top-goalscorer after scoring his 29th international goal against China. Bale is currently still at Real Madrid but scrutiny from the Spanish media has meant that playing for the galacticos is not at the forefront of his mind.

George Williams – The youngest party of the 23 that went to France, and probably the most unexpected, a Gillingham player at the time of his call-up, Williams didn’t play at all during the competition. His career has mostly been spent with League one and League two clubs, has won 7 international caps to date and is currently at League two club Forest Green Rovers.

David Cotterill – During his international career, Cotterill won 24 caps, a total that should’ve been more for a player of his quality. At Championship club Birmingham City when called up to the squad for the European Championships and had been a constant fixture at Championship level for many years. Retired from international football in 2018 after winning his 24 caps while scoring twice for his country, currently at JD Cymru Premier side Barry Town United after coming out of retirement in 2020.

Sam Vokes – Sent Wales fans into dreamland after scoring the third goal against Belgium, a fantastic header which sealed a 3-1 win and Wales’ place in the semi-finals. Was at Burnley when called up for the Championships and often made an impact off the bench for his country, if Wales wanted a goal, Vokes was the man to send on, if it was winning a header or being a nuisance in the box, Vokes was the man for the job. Currently at Championship side Stoke City after 7 years at Burnley, Vokes has won 64 caps and scored 11 goals for Wales but has seen his time on the pitch for Wales recently limited due to the emergence of Kieffer Moore.

Simon Church – Church emerged as a an exciting talent during his time at Reading but sadly never reached the heights that he seemed destined for. Was on loan at Aberdeen four years ago and shortly after the European Championships, he moved to Dutch side Roda JC Kerkade, two short spells at Scunthorpe United and Plymouth Argyle followed. Church played in two games at Euro 2016, in May 2018 Church announced his retirement from football at the relatively young age of 29. Church won 38 caps for his country and scored 3 goals which included a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland in March 2016.