Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds could emulate a Derby County blueprint with one of their ‘ridiculous’ talents.
Wrexham are in a strong position in the transfer window. Although improvements are needed, starting their business by signing Arthur Okonkwo, the core of their squad is League One quality.
Phil Parkinson has several players, including Elliot Lee, Andy Cannon, Eoghan O’Connell and Jack Marriott, for example, who have flourished at this level previously.
That means Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds don’t need to overhaul their current personnel, and just need to add to it with five or six quality additions.
The Hollywood owners must also keep hold of their most invaluable players, and that includes one who could be worth millions in years to come.
Wrexham must keep youngster Max Cleworth
Max Cleworth rose to prominence as an important member of Parkinson’s starting XI in League Two.
The academy graduate had to bide his time for minutes but once he started in the victory over Newport County in December, the talented centre-back never looked back.
There was only two occasions from that month onwards when Cleworth didn’t feature on the pitch and in those two matches, Wrexham suffered defeats against Salford City and Bradford, underscoring his importance.
The 21-year-old became undroppable as a right-sided centre-back and his performances drew high levels of praise, with former manager Bryan Hughes lauding him a “super player”, while Andy Morrell tipped him to have a big future.
If his performance last term is anything to go by, Cleworth could be worth a huge sum of money in years to come and the Hollywood duo must recognise that by handing the “ridiculous talent” a new contract – it currently expires in 2025.
Wrexham must follow Eiran Cashin blueprint at Derby County
Eiran Cashin is another defender who has flourished in the EFL after rising through the youth ranks at Derby County.
The 22-year-old established himself as a key player under Paul Warne and last summer, the Rams had to reject a series of bids from Brighton to keep him at Pride Park.
He was even on the verge of leaving on transfer deadline day last summer but the young centre-back didn’t let that affect his thought process as he knuckled down, signed a new contract in February and inspired Derby to promotion back to the Championship.
Cashin’s value continues to skyrocket and on the evidence of Jacob Greaves being valued at £20 million by Hull City, Derby’s academy product could be worth upwards of £10 million depending on how he performs in the second tier.
McElhenney and Reynolds must use the Ram’s blueprint of handing Cashin a new contract by giving one to Cleworth.
There’s a possibility that in years to come, the Welshman could be worth millions and if he proves his talent in the third tier, clubs will begin to circle.
Therefore, tying him down to a long-term contract can protect them from losing him for cheap while watching him emulate Cashin’s success at Derby.
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