Craig Bellamy has revealed he sees Lewis Koumas playing as a centre-forward for Wales rather than in his more familiar wide position.
The 20-year-old Liverpool player scored his first international goal to help Wales earn a 1-1 draw against Ghana in a friendly at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.
Koumas has spent much of his career on the left wing, but Bellamy has been deploying him as a striker in recent matches for the national side.
“[He is a] nine because we don’t really have any nines coming through and we do have a lot of wingers, brilliant wingers,” said the Wales boss.
“He could definitely be a huge asset for us on the wing but, due to our lack of nines coming through the system, we’ve used him a lot in training that way and he’s really been electric.”
Bellamy added: “There’s a lot to like about Koomy. He’s such a young player and I’m over the moon he got his goal because he’s deserved it.”
Wales are well stocked in wide positions, with Daniel James, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, David Brooks and Sorba Thomas among their options.
Koumas spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at Hull City, helping them win promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.
He has previously been on loan at Birmingham City and Stoke City, where he predominantly featured on the left flank during those respective spells.
Bellamy first tried Koumas in a central striking role during a friendly draw against Northern Ireland in March, and believes the improvement is clear to see.
“When he came on today, he needs to be a little bit tidier but that’s normal,” said Bellamy, addressing the striker’s ongoing development in the position.
“I see him as a real future player for Wales who’s going to have a big say. I’m delighted for him,” the Wales head coach continued.
Wales will close out their season with a friendly away to Romania on Saturday, having missed out on World Cup qualification following a play-off semi-final defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in March.
Ghana, meanwhile, travel to the United States ahead of a World Cup campaign that sees them placed in a group alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
Bellamy offered his assessment of Ghana’s prospects, saying: “You have a tough group, a new manager [Carlos Queiroz].”
“You have some key players who weren’t involved today. I like Inaki Williams, [Antoine] Semenyo. You’re a dangerous team in transition because of the speed you always have in the top line.”
Bellamy suggested Ghana’s opening fixture could prove decisive, noting that victory over Panama could be the key to reaching the knockout rounds.
“Croatia and England are going to be two really difficult games. The way you support your team, you never know,” he concluded.
