RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWrexham eager to chart a pathway to the Premier League next season
Wrexham will head into the 2026/27 Championship season as one of the favourites to win promotion to the Premier League.
Some impressive pre-season performances have raised expectations around a club which has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years.
After drawing with Wisla Krakow (0-0), the Welsh club recorded victories over Manchester United (1-0) and Leeds United (3-2).
A narrow 1-0 defeat against Liverpool at Yankee Stadium in New York failed to dampen enthusiasm around the club.
Parkinson delighted after Liverpool test
Wrexham have undoubtedly come a long way since co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their purchase of the club in 2021.
Their investment has helped the Dragons climb from the National League to the Championship. They are just one promotion away from the top flight.
Manager Phil Parkinson is now eager to complete the journey. He believes their pre-season results highlight the progress they have made.
“You play Man United, Leeds and Liverpool and you come away with a single-goal defeat as your worst result out of the three, you have to say that’s not a bad result,” he said .
“In terms of the performance, we’re learning as a team. When we’re under a little bit of pressure and we get the ball back, that’s when we have to lift the game and give ourselves a breather with the ball.
“When we did that, I thought we did okay.”
Imray move is a statement of intent
Wrexham kicked off their summer transfer business with the signing of wing-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion and produced a series of impressive performances.
More new signings are expected at Wrexham, with the co-owners willing to sanction another major spending spree this summer.
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and Everton shot-stopper Mark Travers are potential transfer targets.
Leicester City defender Harry Souttar has also been linked with the club, although the £10m asking price is a stumbling block.
Senegal forward Bamba Dieng has been touted as a possible option, but a move for Portsmouth defender Terry Devlin is unlikely following the Imray deal.
More potential targets will emerge during August as Wrexham strive to win promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Expanded play-offs boost Wrexham’s promotion chances
Wrexham agonisingly missed out on the play-offs last term as they finished two points behind Hull City, who subsequently went on to win the play-off final.
The English Football League’s decision to expand the Championship play-offs from four teams to six should work to Wrexham’s advantage.
West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to be in contention for automatic promotion following their relegation from the top flight.
Burnley, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City are other clubs who will expect to be challenging for a top two spot.
Wrexham’s investment in their squad could bring them into the equation, although a place in the expanded play-offs is a more likely target.
Sheffield United, Norwich City and Derby County are amongst a plethora of clubs who will be eyeing a top eight finish.
If Wrexham can spend their transfer kitty wisely, there is no reason why they can’t mount a sustained challenge for promotion.
However, given the strength of the Championship this season, it would be foolish to think the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
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