Ali Maxwell has been discussing Conor Coady’s long-term role at Wrexham after the centre-back lost his place under Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester City for a fee of around £2m during the most recent window.
He was a regular feature during the opening stages of the campaign, replacing the departing Eoghan O’Connell in the middle of Parkinson’s back three.
But Wrexham’s transfer for Coady was voted the worst deal of the summer by one football agent earlier this week, and EFL pundit Ali Maxwell has now had some similarly harsh words for the former England international.
- READ MORE: Wrexham could make seven-figure saving as Jay Rodriguez and seven more players due to leave in 2026
Ali Maxwell suggests Conor Coady shouldn’t play for Wrexham again
When previewing Wrexham’s meeting with Stoke for Not The Top 20, Maxwell questioned why Coady would play for the Dragons again and called his £2m move from Leicester ‘insane’.
He said: “I cannot see any justification now for Conor Coady playing any minutes for Wrexham because either he’s simply not good enough or, in this team context, he is not adding anything to the team.
“Now, you’ve got to hope that he’s adding a lot in the dressing room, and that has always been something that he’s been praised for, his character and his leadership, but clearly the outlay transfer fee-wise and the two-year deal now look borderline insane to be honest.”
Coady started Wrexham’s first five Championship fixtures this term but lost his place in the eleven after the 3-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
Most recently, he didn’t even make the matchday squad against Birmingham City, but there may still be a role at the Racecourse Ground for the 32-year-old, even if it’s not on the pitch.
Phil Parkinson praises Conor Coady’s off-field impact at Wrexham
Coady is competing with Hyam and Dan Scarr for a place in the team, and while he doesn’t look set to be a regular feature going forward, at least his experience and leadership could be useful behind the scenes.
Wrexham drew 1-1 with the centre-back’s former side, Leicester, on September 30.
After that fixture, Parkinson praised Coady for the tactical insight he offered leading up to the game.
He said: “We had Conor come in with us and the analysts yesterday, and he was talking through the individuals.
“As a staff, we’ve watched a lot of the players, and I was there Friday at West Brom, but having that extra insight as well was invaluable for us.”