November 25, 2024

Five Championship free agents Wrexham could sign including ex-Man Utd and Liverpool stars

Wrexham are now gearing up for life in League Two as Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney hope to execute a statement summer transfer window.

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Wrexham are back in the Football League and if they want to secure back-to-back promotions, Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will have to dig their hands deep into their pockets this summer after the Red Dragons confirmed they were releasing 11 players at the end of a grueling season. Prolific goalscoring hero Paul Mullin has already signed a one-year contract extension and Phil Parkinson has already confirmed talks are ongoing with goalkeeper Ben Foster over the possibility of extending his stay in Wales.

But beyond that, there is an appreciation that Wrexham will have to continue improving and evolving their team if they’re serious about achieving promotion from League Two next season.

There have already been whispers of some audacious and ambitious transfer targets including Cheltenham hot-shot Alfie May and Blackburn’s Sorba Thomas but Wrexham will have to ensure they shop smartly to avoid upsetting the current team dynamic.

The playing squad and staff are now set to endure some downtime following an energy-sapping campaign that finished with a big party in Las Vegas before the hard work begins in pre-season when the club will be touring the United States.

Paul Mullin makes first start of season in Wrexham’s comfortable win

STEVE PARKIN has backed Paul Mullin to get back amongst the goals after Wrexham’s star striker made his first start of the League Two campaign.

Mullin missed Wrexham’s return to the Football League after suffering a punctured lung and four cracked ribs during the club’s pre-season tour to America.

The 28-year-old scored 47 goals in all competitions last term as the Reds clinched the National League title and he made his comeback as a second half substitute in the 2-1 win against Doncaster Rovers nine days ago

Back in the starting XI for Saturday’s clash with Grimsby Town at The STóK Cae Ras, Mullin never took the chances that came his way but the frontman played his past as Wrexham produced an excellent performance and clinched a thoroughly deserved 3-0 win to extend the unbeaten run to seven league games.

Assistant manager Parkin is just delighted to have Mullin available again and says it is only a matter of time before he starts to fire in front of goal.

“When Paul first came back he was off the pace but he had a really good week training,” said Parkin.

“For him to play the way he played, alright he has not scored but he got in tremendously good areas.

“We got some really good balls down the side to him and he was a real threat all day.

“The Grimsby centre-backs know they have been in a real game so we are delighted with his display.

“He is a confident lad in front of goal, he missed a couple but that won’t affect him, it never has done before.

“We are glad we have got him back and we are glad with the performance and the contribution from the whole squad which was really important.”

First half goals from Ollie Palmer and Will Boyle, who both found the back of the net with superb headers, put Wrexham in control.

“Both are great headers,” said Parkin.

“It was a wonderful ball in from Elliot Lee to pick Ollie out and it was a great glancing header.

“Boyle’s header was terrific.

“The cross from James McClean was slightly behind him and he has just got a glance in the corner.

“We are both a threat in the air and on the ground so it was a real pleasing day.”

Lee completed the scoring late in the 79th minute, with the Reds’ leading scorer bagging his seventh goal in eight league outings.

“Elliot has just got a great knack of arriving in the box at the right time,” said Parkin.

“He can score goals from outside the box as we have all seen but he is a midfielder who likes to get right in the penalty area.

“He creates an overload and he creates an extra man in there, and when he gets a chance you always fancy him to score.”

Parkin was delighted with the display as Wrexham moved up to fourth in the table, three points behind leaders Gillingham.

“We have been striving and looking for a real, solid, workmanlike performance but with good football in it,” added Parkin.

“We have not quite had it in long periods but today I thought we were really good.

“It was a thoroughly good performance defensively and we were a real goal threat and could have won by some more goals.”

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