James McClean will be one of the leaders who Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson looks towards in the Championship next season, with the Dragons looking set for a really tough campaign.
As has been the case in the last three seasons, Wrexham go into a new league with many thinking they might struggle.
But as we all know, the Dragons have defied odds in each of the last three campaigns, winning three-straight promotions to find themselves in the Championship.
It’s the first time that the club has played in the second tier of English football in more than 40 years and fans are excited to see how the team fares, and to see who might join this summer.
James McClean looks like he’ll play a key role. The former Republic of Ireland international played a starring role last season, and McClean is among the Wrexham players out of contract in 2026, so this next season could well be his last at the Racecourse.
Wrexham star James McClean gives his verdict on the Championship
Speaking last month, McClean backed the Wrexham players to step up in the Championship next season, and he’s now echoed those comments in another recent interview where he was asked about his side’s chances in the league.
Speaking on the podcast Talking Derry City, McClean said: “100% [looking forward to being back in the Championship]. Given the rise of the club, where it was a few years ago to where it is now. We’re on a roll at the minute, momentum is like a steam train and the buzz around the place is brilliant.
“Same as every year, we’ll go into the year and people will tell us this can’t be done and that can’t be done and that this is a step too far, but with Wrexham it’s a fairy tale so let’s see how we get on.”
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What Lee Trundle has predicted for Wrexham in 2025/26
Everyone is giving their opinion on Wrexham for next season. But the truth is that any prediction is pure speculation at this point, as was the case in the last few seasons: nobody knows what to expect because we have nothing to go off.
The general consensus seems to be that Wrexham will at least avoid relegation. But former player Lee Trundle thinks Wrexham can compete in the Championship next season, saying recently: “They can easy challenge in the Championship.
“I’ve watched the league for years, week in week out, and I don’t think they will be in a relegation battle at the bottom. I do think it’ll be mid-table, but who knows, with what they’ve done over the past couple of years I wouldn’t be surprised if they were up amongst the play-offs.”
And midfielder Ollie Rathbone thinks Wrexham can cause some upsets in the Championship too, so there certainly seems to be a really positive move behind the scenes at the club, with regards to how they can cope in the Championship.
Wrexham’s pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand kicks off on July 11th against Melbourne Victory.