As speculation heightens over potential incomings at Wrexham this summer, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds must keep one of their talents at all costs.
Wrexham will be looking to strengthen their squad following promotion from League Two.
The Reds are desperate to land Arthur Okonkwo on a permanent deal from Arsenal while Notts County goal machine Macaulay Langstaff has also been linked.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds must build a competitive squad in the third tier, as Phil Parkinson anticipates a difficult jump from this year’s opponents.
Although the foundations are in place for the Welsh side to challenge towards the play-offs in League One, or perhaps promotion, the most successful piece of business they could do this summer is keeping one of their star talents.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds must keep ‘ridiculous’ Wrexham talent at all costs
When speaking about players high up on the list of importance, outsiders may look at Paul Mullin for his sheer number of goals, or Elliot Lee for his involvement from midfield.
The duo are indispensable to Wrexham in the short term, but given they both turn 30 this year, their long-term resale value will only plummet over time.
Parkinson’s squad is brimming with players – like Mullin and Lee – who are currently at the peak of their powers but over time will need replacing.
That isn’t the case with centre-back Max Cleworth, who has the biggest potential and resale value of any player in the Wrexham squad.
A 21-year-old, ball-playing centre-back whose English is sought after in the transfer market, especially when you’re as good as Cleworth.
The young defender – hailed a “ridiculous talent” – is a player McElhenney and Reynolds must keep at all costs in the summer as they can ill-afford to lose him.
Max Cleworth 23/24 League Two statistics
A product of Wrexham’s youth system, Cleworth has established himself in Parkinson’s defence and put in mature performances beyond his years.
It was always a challenge for the youngster to step up to the physical demands of League Two, but he’s spent extra time in the gym to bulk up and deal with the physically imposing forwards put against him.
The young defender has therefore shone across various metrics, including his ability to pass out from the back, win duels and use his pace to recover possession.
Max Cleworth’s 23/24 League Two statistics (Sofascore)
- 23 matches
- 9 clean sheets
- 74% pass accuracy
- 2.2 tackles per game
- 0.8 interceptions per game
- 3.3 balls recovered per game
- 3.4 clearances per game
- 70% (2.7) ground duels won per game
- 63% (3) aerial duels won per game
An unbelievable player for his age and the statistics to back it up, Wrexham must keep Cleworth in the transfer window and beyond by rewarding the precocious talent with a new contract.