Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson already has strong options at wing back but may be given something of a selection headache in the coming weeks.
Phil Parkinson has played a 3-5-2 system ever since becoming Wrexham boss and it’s rare that we see him pivot away from that approach.
Quality wing backs can be tricky to recruit; they need to be dangerous going forward like a winger whilst still being solid defensively like a full back.
Wrexham have invested in a couple of wing backs in 2024 alone with the right-sided Luke Bolton arriving from Salford City in January.
Sebastian Revan has signed from Aston Villa on the left side and has already shown promising signs this season with Parkinson hailing him as ‘outstanding’.
Revan actually started on the right side against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday with James McClean operating on the left, showing the depth of Wrexham’s wing back options.
Phil Parkinson on Jacob Mendy
Ryan Barnett started the campaign at right wing back too, so Parkinson is spoilt for choice – and that is without even mentioning Jacob Mendy.
Mendy has played an important role since joining Wrexham from Boreham Wood back in 2022.
The 27-year-old has even become a full Gambian international off the back of his Wrexham move.
Injuries have been a nightmare for Mendy of late though having picked up a hamstring injury towards the end of last season.
Mendy is now ramping up his return to action and featured in a Central League fixture against the Stoke Under-21’s on Tuesday.
Jake Bickerstaff stole the show with a hat-trick but Mendy featured as he ramps ups his return to action.
Speaking to The Leader, Parkinson admitted that the expectation was always that Mendy would be back in the early weeks of the new season.
Parkinson noted that Mendy has ‘done really well’ in terms of his rehabilitation and Wrexham are pleased with the progress he has been making.
“We always felt Jacob would be close to the start of the season in terms of his training,” said Parkinson. “But he has done really well in his rehab and we are very pleased with him,” he added.
Mendy faces fight to get back into Wrexham side
Parkinson has regularly trusted Mendy and will be delighted to have him on the way back to full fitness.
The problem for Mendy is exactly what we spoke about earlier – the options at Parkinson’s disposal.
McClean has started the season on the left side but Revan is banging on the door to make that spot his own.
Mendy may return as third-choice at left wing back, which will be quite the change from last season.
We became used to seeing Mendy at left wing back with McClean in midfield but Revan’s arrival changes the game for Wrexham.
Mendy will need time and patience to get back to his best, but he will then need to really catch Parkinson’s eye in order to land a regular starting role again.