Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was incredibly busy during the summer window, which helped him bring in one ‘phenomenal’ signing with the help of Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.
Following Wrexham’s three successive promotions, taking them from the National League to the Championship, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac were keen to back Phil Parkinson in the summer window to ensure they could compete in the second tier.
Wrexham brought in a total of 14 recruits this summer, with the Red Dragons squad getting overhauled by the addition of Championship-experienced players across the pitch.
The Red Dragons’ owners have not messed around in the previous months, with Reynolds adopting an ‘aggressive’ transfer stance, which translated into him providing Parkinson with plenty of backing.
Amongst the catalogue of signings that Wrexham have made, one has been labelled as an ‘astonishing’ arrival.
Wrexham told that the signing of Ben Sheaf was ‘astonishing’
Wrexham signed Ben Sheaf from Coventry City for a £6.5m fee this summer, with the defensive midfielder sealing his switch to North Wales on deadline day.
Ben Sheaf to Wrexham has already been labelled as the ‘signing of the summer’ by EFL expert Ryan Dilks, and he has since provided more insight into his decision.
Speaking on the Second Tier Podcast, Dilks said: “The quality of player Wrexham are getting for £6.5m is astonishing, particularly when you consider how much of an upgrade he is on what they’ve got. That’s what I’m taking into account here as well.
But Ben Sheaf has been one of the best midfielders in the Championship over the past three to four years. As far as playmakers go, who can also win the ball, he’s been as good as it gets.
“He’s a phenomenal player who, just over a year ago, it would not have been surprising to see him being sold to a Premier League club. And he was being linked with that kind of move as well. I think Brentford was sniffing around him for a long time. Since then, he’s perhaps dropped off a bit, mainly down to injuries, but also because I’m not sure Frank Lampard was getting the best out of him, but providing he stays fit, he will be so good for Wrexham.
“And he’s still only 27. They’re set to have him for the prime years of his career, all being well.”
On deadline day, Wrexham brought in Ben Sheaf, alongside defenders Issa Kabore and Dom Hyam.
Frank Lampard would have been gutted to lose Ben Sheaf
Coventry City’s sale of Ben Sheaf to Wrexham was quite a surprise, especially considering how highly-rated the midfielder was during his time at the CBS Arena.
It is clear that Wrexham have picked up a major coup in the form of Sheaf considering what Coventry City boss Frank Lampard, formerly of Chelsea, said previously about him.
Last year, via Wales Online, Lampard said: “Everyone here at the club wants Ben to stay. As far as I’m concerned, I do. I want him to stay at the club but there doesn’t feel like a huge rush [to arrange a new deal], Ben might say something different.
“I don’t know because I don’t know where he’s at exactly with it, but it doesn’t feel like a huge rush because we’re right in the middle of games. But I think all conversations are positive, for sure.”
Sheaf could be in line for his Wrexham debut following the international break, when the Red Dragons host Queens Park Rangers at the Racecourse Ground.