New Signing, New Extension...with More on the Way?
Wrexham ink their first transfer and extend one of the key members of the squad.
Wrexham get some much-needed center-back depth as other rumors heat up.
News from the Week:
Reds Sign Lewis Brunt from Leicester City Through 2027
Wrexham have signed Lewis Brunt, a 23-year-old center-back from the Premier League’s Leicester City, for an undisclosed fee through 2027. The promising defender came up through top-flight staple Aston Villa’s academy before moving to Leicester City, making his debut for the first team in the 21/22 season, where he has made four appearances for the main club, including an impressive turn in the FA Cup versus Watford (FotMob gave him a 7.53 rating for the match). Since then he mostly played for the club’s U23 and Academy squads before spending last year on loan to our frienemies at Mansfield Town.
In his two appearances against Wrexham last year, he put on a rather average display while playing a total of 135 minutes (ironically, he was injured in the second game and sat the remainder of the season, making The Racecourse the last ground he played on) but he impressed on the whole of the season, ending with a FotMob rating of 7.03, making him the seventh-best player on the squad according to season FotMob rating (99th overall in League Two). He was second on the team in both Clearances and Blocks per 90, third in Accurate Long Balls per 90, and pitched in with two goals and an assist. So who do those numbers put him on par with at Wrexham? In those specific categories, almost exactly our best defender: O’Connell. The difference is O’Connell led Wrexham in a bunch of other areas as well and ranked fifth on the squad with a FotMob rating of 7.26. In fact, all three of our main center-backs not named Ben Tozer outranked Brunt: O’Connor finished at 7.17 and Cleworth was right behind O’Connell at 7.23.
So, where will Phil put Brunt? If he’s moving to four center-backs Brunt is an obvious starter. If he’s sticking with his 5-3-2 (which we all suspect he is), I would assume there would be competition for spots and in all likelihood he’ll be switching off with Cleworth. But I absolutely love Cleworth at the back (as any reader of this newsletter knows), so I’d rather see Brunt serve as a regular second-half sub than a regular starter. But I have to concede, if anyone gets the bump down to the bench, it’s probably Max. But that hardly makes this a disappointing signing. We needed to strengthen our center-back depth and this deal certainly does that.
I feel very good about Brunt starting in the back line in general…just not over our current back three. If any of them need to miss a game (or more), Brunt is unquestionably the starter. For EFL Cup games? Absolutely, get him in there. The player who probably will see their playing time impacted the most by this is most likely our red card leader last year: Will Boyle. Brunt also describes himself as “a ball-playing center half.” Couple that with his defensive skills and his deployment in midfield here and there for Mansfield and you get a very decent back-up option to Evans in midfield. Speaking of George…
George Evans Extended
One of our deadline-day signings last year, defensive midfielder George Evans, has signed a contract extension through the end of 25/26 season, with an option for a third additional season. On the signing, Evans said:
I’m so grateful for the opportunity that the Club and the Gaffer gave me and I hope I’m repaying them. The Gaffer has been incredible since I’ve been here, and this has been one of the best decisions I have made in my football career.
In addition to his central midfield role, Parkinson has also deployed Evans in the back three as a center-back. Given Evans’ defensive-minded play the move seems to point toward what we already assumed: Phil wants to stick to his 5-3-2 as the squad’s go-to formation.
I didn’t expect this extension, but ultimately I think it’s a good move. Aside from his moment of madness against Colchester that earned him a straight red, Evans impressed in most of his matches last year. On the squad, he was second only to O’Connell in Interceptions per 90 (1.5), fourth in Blocks per 90 (0.5), and ninth overall with a FotMob rating of 7.03.
Carabao Cup First-Round Draw: Sheffield United
Wrexham and Sheffield United are set for a reunion. The first-round draw of the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) took place last Thursday and Wrexham were drawn against the newly relegated Championship side Sheffield United. It goes without saying that this elevates the first match of the EFL Cup: Sheffield United, you’ll remember, eliminated Wrexham from the FA Cup two years ago in a dramatic replay that came complete with Billy Sharp’s post-match antics.
Sharp may be gone (set to battle his former club this year from the Championship’s Hull City) but we’ll return to Bramall Lane on August 12th. Given the opponent, we’ll see if Phil changes his approach to the match. Previously, I would have expected a mostly second-string lineup. However, with the FA Cup drama still fresh in everyone’s minds, we might see more first-team representation than Phil originally planned.
Bristol Street Motors Trophy Fixtures Set
Wrexham will enter the Bristol Street Motors Trophy (EFL Trophy) in North Group B with Salford City, Port Vale, and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ U21s. Dates and times haven’t been finalized, but Wrexham will play Salford first before moving on to the Wolves academy. The group will conclude in November when Wrexham visit Port Vale. Expect the reserves to play a big part in this tournament.
Get to Know League One
With a new league comes new competition. Throughout the summer editions of the Wreader I’m going to provide a little profile of each club, two per week, for those subscribers new to the English Football Pyramid.
Peterborough United FC
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England
Founded: 1934
Nickname(s): The Posh
Ownership: Darragh MacAnthony (75%), Kelgary Sports & Entertainment (20%), IRC Investments Limited (5%)
Last Season: 4th in League One, eliminated in the playoffs
Since entering the EFL in 1960, Peterborough United have mostly fought their battles in tiers three and four of the English pyramid, with only occasional cameos in the second tier, their latest coming in the 21/22 season. For the better part of the last ten years, however, they’ve been a top-ten League One club. They also won the EFL Trophy last year, their second victory in the tournament coming ten years after their first.
They nearly made it back to the Championship last season, finishing just three points shy of the final promotion spot in fourth. They were eliminated in the playoffs by Oxford United, who went on to gain promotion to the second tier. As for the squad itself, it looks like it will remain mostly intact, with only two players departing without a contract after last season. Ephron Mason-Clark was the squad’s top-scorer (14) with left-back Harrison Burrows edging him out as their top-ranked player. Burrows was also the second-best player in the league last season, with Mason-Clark and winger Kwame Poku joining him in the top twenty overall. As a squad, they tied Portsmouth as the top-ranked team and led the league in Goals Per Match (1.9), Average Possession (62.2%), Expected Goals (86.9), Shots on Target per Match (5.4), Corners (317), and Touches in the Opposing Box (1,364).
So yeah…they’re a quality club. They narrowly missed out on promotion last year and there’s no indication they’ll let off the gas in the campaign to come.
Charlton Athletic FC
Location: Charlton, London, England
Founded: 1905
Nickname(s): The Addicks, The Valiants, Red Robins
Ownership: SE7 Partners
Last Season: 16th in League One
Charlton’s heyday was a 21-year stint in the first tier from 1936-1957, broken up in the middle by World War II. Following relegation they managed to stay in the second tier almost exclusively, with just one brief relegation to the third tier, until 1986 when they returned to the first tier. They were sent back down as the club entered the 90s, only hitting the Premier League in 1998. After going back and forth for a few years, they’d be sent down to the second tier in 2007 and have bounced between the Championship and League One ever since.
Since the 21/22 season, they have yet to net a single-digit finish. Last year they ended in 16th, nine points clear of relegation. But that’s not to say they are without their threats. Charlton boast striker Alfie May, the top-scorer in the league last season (23). Midfielder George Dobson was their top-rated player, who finished 12th in the league in FotMob rating. As a squad, they actually rank higher than they finished: 10th in team FotMob rating last year, the same rank they hold in Goals Per Match and Average Goals Conceded, with top-ten finishes Shot on Target and Expected Goals. All of this paints the picture of a sleeping giant who could be poised to rise from its slumber next season.
Rumor Round-up
Wrexham Seek Millwall Trio?
The Daily Mirror reports that Wrexham are in pursuit of Millwall winger Ryan Longman, who is set to return from a season loan at Hull City, while The South London Press are saying the Reds also want their striker Tom Bradshaw. Darren Witcoop on Twitter reports Wrexham are interested in Bradshaw, but names Wes Harding as the second name of interest. Could Wrexham be looking at all three? Likely not.
Bradshaw, 31, is the veteran of the group having made 198 appearances for the club, mostly at the Championship level. Last year he ended with just four goals and a 6.3 FotMob rating. We already have Steven Fletcher as an aging veteran striker…I really don’t want to see Bradshaw added to the roster. Not without selling someone first, anyway.
Longman, on the other hand, is a more interesting case. He’s played mostly as a left winger for Hull City and Millwall, but can also be used as a left wingback…which is where I suspect Phil’s interest lies. His numbers are also not particularly impressive (ending last year with a 6.7 FotMob rating), but he’d be a useful backup to McClean while Mendy is getting back to full strength and would provide depth at the position once Mendy returns.
Finally, we have center back Wes Harding. He ranked high in Clearances and Blocks per 90 as well as Accurate passes, while also contributing three goals from the back over 26 appearances last year. On the whole, though, he’s clearly a candidate for a bench role. His numbers do not threaten O’Connor, O’Connell, Cleworth, or even Brunt for a starting gig. But we could still do with some depth on the defensive line, so as long as the price is right this could be a smart bit of business.
This week in Marc Leonard news
David Anderson of The Daily Mirror is reporting that Birmingham City are now closing in on a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Marc Leonard. In all honesty, Wrexham were probably a long shot to land Leonard and my suspicion is that Birmingham’s transfer fee will show why. Anderson is reporting a £450,000 fee has been offered from Birmingham, and that’s likely too rich for Wrexham’s blood. Could they swing that? I would think certainly - but midfield, ultimately, is not where we need the most help. With George Evans and Elliot Lee locked up and other areas in need of a boost, that high of a fee wasn’t going to make sense for a midfielder.
Joe Morrell Update
Yesterday Morrell announced on social media that he was, in fact, leaving Portsmouth FC as was widely speculated. The Welsh international would be a big get for Wrexham, and rumors of his move to North Wales have been circling for a few weeks. Not only would Wrexham fans be thrilled to have a member of the national team on the squad, but he’d make for an excellent midfield option (once fully healthy again) likely sharing time with Evans.
Rumor Tracker
Updates this week: three more names get crossed off the list as three get added.
Reported Interest:
Jason Kerr - Signed extension with Wigan
Tom Pearce
Stephen HumphrysJosh Magennis - Joined Exeter City on a 1-year deal
Marc Leonard - is likely to join Birmingham CityMarvin Ekpiteta - Joined Hibernian FC in the Scottish Premiership on a 3-year deal
Jamie LindsayGareth Bale - Happily retiredNeil Etheridge - Joined Buriram United of Thailand
Joe Morrell - Rumors of Morrell to Wrexham seem to be increasing
Cyrus Christie
Ryan Longman
Tom Bradshaw
Wes Harding
Contract Officially Offered to:
No confirmed offers at this time.
Squad Depth
Below is the squad as it stands. I’ll keep this depth chart updated as time and transfers go by. My depth rankings are based on the assumption Phil keeps the same 5-3-2 formation and everyone is healthy.
Changes from last week:
Brunt makes his debut on my chart.
Added Evans as an option for the CB depth
Arrivals
James McClean »»» Contract extended for a second year
Harry Dean »»» Signed to a professional contract from the youth squad
Steven Fletcher »»» Signed to a one-year contract
Mark Howard »»» Signed to a one-year contract
Arthur Okonkwo »»» Signed to a three-year contract
George Evans »»» Signed a two-year extension
Lewis Brunt »»» Signed to a three-year contract
Departures
Aaron Hayden »»» Released »»» signed a 2-year deal with Carlisle United
Rob Lainton »»» Released, currently a free agent
Callum McFadzean »»» Released, currently a free agent
Jordan Tunnicliffe »»» Released, currently a free agent
Owen Cushion »»» Released, currently a free agent
Dan Davies. »»» Released, signed with Flint Town United FC
Ben Tozer »»» Released »»» signed with Forest Green Rovers
Luke Young »»» Released »»» signed with Cheltenham Town FC
Max Hayes »»» Released, currently a free agent
Michael Hayman »»» Released, currently a free agent
Jack Pilkington »»» Released, currently a free agent
Jake Roberts »»» Released, currently a free agent
Dan Wright »»» Released, currently a free agent
Scott Butler »»» Released »»» signed with Marine FC