Wrexham’s return to the EFL has undoubtedly been dramatic, with many of their games following the cliched “Hollywood script” that has become so closely associated with owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The Red Dragons are currently sixth in the league as we enter the middle of October, but their defensive record is among the worst in the division; only Newport and the bottom two teams, Sutton United and Forest Green Rovers, have shipped more goals than the Red Dragons’ total of 23.
Seven new players joined Wrexham during the course of the summer, including the incredibly experienced James McClean and Steven Fletcher combo and George Evans and Will Boyle who dropped down from the Championship to work on the project in North Wales.
Eleven other players have also left the team, with Ben Foster’s retirement being the most prominent. Foster started the season in goal but decided to retire following the extraordinary 5-5 draw with Swindon Town.
FLW has chosen to foresee three possible transfer deals involving Wrexham as the January transfer window gets closer over the coming weeks.
Will Wrexham address their goalkeeping situation in the January transfer window?
It’s fair to say that the “Goalkeepers Union” at the Racecourse Ground has seen two EFL veterans play a significant role for the club recently; Mark Howard and the aforementioned Foster are among their numbers. However, it would seem logical to target a new first-choice goalkeeper for the long term future in January.
With two clean sheets in his last three games, Arthur Okonkwo has started to establish himself in the starting lineup. At 22 years old, it makes sense for Parkinson and the club hierarchy to consider making Okonkwo’s contract permanent since both Howard and Rob Lainton’s contracts expire in 2024.
What other areas do Wrexham need to strengthen in?
The right side of defense is another area of the team that appears to be having issues at the moment, and it says a lot about Parkinson’s plans for Bryce Hosannah when Jacob Mendy, who is typically a figure on the other flank, is selected ahead of the only naturally right-sided defender at the club who has only made one League Two appearance.
It appears that Hosannah’s days are numbered because he only made nine appearances for Wrexham in the National League, and his contract is slated to expire in 2024.
Possible targets for Wrexham include Birmingham City’s Marcel Oakley, who has been on the outside looking in at St Andrew’s, making just two starts in the Carabao Cup against Cheltenham Town and Cardiff City, along with a cameo on the first day of the Championship. Wrexham needs to strengthen their defense, therefore adding him, whether on loan or permanently, could be a wise move.
Who will depart Wrexham in January?
Wrexham currently has a high number of 14 players whose contracts expire in the summer; if their playing time is insufficient, several of these players may leave in January.
This might include players like Callum McFadzean, who played 27 times in the National League last season but has only been given the chance to play in the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy since being promoted.
The versatile defender was a regular for Sunderland during their time in League One just three seasons prior, so for someone of his caliber to be playing so little in the lower divisions, it makes sense for all parties to force a January transfer to a League 2 rival or a National League team vying for promotion.
