Wrexham remain keen to add new players to the squad but Phil Parkinson believes that one of his senior players will be key to the club’s success in the coming season.
Wrexham are set to return to League One for the first time in 19 years. It has been a successful period for the club with back-to-back promotions propelling Phil Parkinson’s side to the third tier of English football.
Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney remain keen to support the Red Dragons’ boss in the transfer window by adding further quality and experience to the dressing room.
The owners have already sanctioned the signings of Arthur Okonkwo, George Dobson, Callum Burton, and Sebastian Revan.
They also reinforced their backline with Wrexham snapping up Leicester City defender Lewis Brunt earlier in the transfer window.
The North Wales side aims to be competitive again in the coming season but it will be a tougher test with a higher standard of football expected.
If Wrexham were to be near the top, Parkinson had previously revealed that James McClean would be vital to the club’s success.
Phil Parkinson believes James McClean is vital to Wrexham success
The Republic of Ireland star joined the Red Dragons in the 2023 summer transfer window and quickly became a regular in the starting XI.
The former Sunderland man recently showed his competitiveness in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea with McClean getting into a scuffle with Chelsea’s Levi Colwill.
Since arriving in North Wales the former Wigan Athletic star has been an ever-present figure in the starting XI.
Speaking to Men in Blazers about the veteran’s contribution to Wrexham’s success, Parkinson said: “Mentality [is key] like a James McClean and what he brings to the party in terms of every game he is on it.
“There is never a game where McClean hasn’t given everything.
“If you’re losing he will drive us on to get back in the game, and if we’re winning, he’ll never lose focus and think that the job is done.”
McClean is a leading figure in Parkinson’s Wrexham dressing room
Heading into the coming League One season the Wrexham boss will be looking to his key players to set the standard for the rest of the squad.
The former Bolton Wanderers boss has not yet named a club captain to replace the departed Luke Young.
McClean, 37, should be considered as an option to take on the club captaincy with the veteran having a wealth of EFL experience.
Since arriving at the Racecourse last year, the former Premier League star has been vital to Parkinson’s plans and was a big part of Wrexham’s promotion from League Two.
The former West Bromwich Albion star has previously played in League One and will be able to help guide the younger players in the dressing room.
It will be a tough challenge for Wrexham to be competitive in the coming season, but Parkinson can expect that McClean will be one of the main senior players keen to set the standard and encourage the rest of the squad to challenge.