Wrexham left-back Jacob Mendy has praised one teammate as a ‘different breed’ for the work he does off the pitch.
Jacob Mendy played a key part in Wrexham’s promotion-winning campaign last term as he produced five assists in 31 league appearances from left wing-back.
The 27-year-old had a productive season in the Football League, his first at the level, impressing in Phil Parkinson’s 3-5-2 system.
Mendy shared responsibilities down the left with veteran James McClean, who was moulded into a left wing-back and registered 10 assists in 2023/24.
McClean, who can also play in a central midfield role or as a natural winger, often kept the Gambian out of the side, with Parkinson lauding his professionalism.
The Wrexham boss isn’t the only person to hail the 35-year-old, with Mendy also directing praise in his direction.
Jacob Mendy left stunned by what James McClean does off the pitch
Although currently sidelined with an injury he picked up against Colchester United in April, Mendy remains positive about his situation and has waxed lyrical about his Irish teammate.
Dubbing his teammate a “different breed”, Mendy was left stunned by his incredible work ethic on the pitch and how he keeps himself in ridiculously good shape.
Speaking to The Leader, he said: “James is a different breed. I don’t know how he does it. I really admire his work ethic.
“He is a very good player but he is a good man as well. I have a very good relationship with him.”
Mendy isn’t the first teammate of McClean to laud his incredible work rate off the pitch. Ben Foster – who worked with him for a brief period last year – labelled him the hardest-working player he’s ever seen in training.
For someone who played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, that is some praise for McClean, who will play a vital role in League One.
James McClean’s best position at Wrexham
McClean played as a left-back for most of the campaign however, once Parkinson thrust him into a central midfield position, he added a new dimension to the Wrexham side.
Instead of being isolated out on the left, often waiting for the ball to get switched across to him, he was able to dictate proceedings centrally and pick up dangerous pockets of space.
The former Republic of Ireland international scored and assisted from midfield in wins over Accrington Stanley and Morecambe.
Saying that, he did also produce a hat-trick of assists from left-back in the 6-0 hammering of Forest Green Rovers, so it appears wherever you put him, he’ll have an impact on the game.
It will be interesting to see whether Parkinson uses him as a midfielder next term and signs a left back or continues to utilise him on the flank.
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