NEWS UPDATE: Sky Sports pundit names one star who will be key to Wrexham League One success

Wrexham face their toughest challenge yet when they make the step up to League One.

The Red Dragons are looking to make history this season by winning three successive promotions.

Since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took over Wrexham in February 2021, the club have enjoyed an impressive rise up the football league.

Phil Parkinson was brought in as manager in the summer of 2021 and he has since guided the Welsh side to back-to-back promotions.

Wrexham are now gearing up for the 2024/25 League One season, which will be their first in the third tier of English football.

In a bid to avoid relegation and maybe even make a play-off push, the American-owned outfit have signed six new first-team players so far this summer.

Wrexham’s promotion chances going into the new season are not expected to be anywhere as high as they were in 2023/24 however.

But we should get a good indication of how the club will fare when Wrexham face Wycombe Wanderers in their opening game on Saturday, August 10th.

Manager Phil Parkinson of Wrexham AFC, talks with co-owner Rob McElhenney prior to a pre-season friendly soccer match against AFC Bournemouth at Ha...

One player will be key to Wrexham League One success

Ahead of their opening fixture, former player turned Sky Sports Pundit, Jobi McAnuff, has picked out several stars who will be key for Wrexham during their first season in League One.

The club have made six senior signings in the current window, including Arthur Okonkwo returning on a permanent deal from Arsenal.

George Dobson should also bring some much-needed League One experience after signing from Charlton Athletic.

However, speaking on Sky Sports, McAnuff named established Wrexham star Paul Mullin as a player who will be a ‘huge asset’ for them in 2024/25.

He said: “I think the jump is a bigger one at this level to go from League One to the Championship, particularly from where they’ve come.

“I do think they’ve done some really good business, you’re absolutely right, I think they’re getting a little bit cuter I think George Thompson coming in is a real important signing.

“Again, Charlton fans maybe would’ve thought he would have gone to maybe a team at a higher level or one of the big, big teams in that league.

“But that shows the pulling power of Wrexham to get a player of his caliber, Okonkwo as well.

“And with this man [Paul Mullin] his goal-scoring pedigree again at this level previously will certainly be a huge asset for them this season.”

Paul Mullin of Wrexham lies injured after a collision with goalkeeper Nathan Bishop of Manchester United during the pre-season friendly match betwe...
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

Wrexham will struggle without Paul Mullin

Unfortunately for Wrexham, Mullin is injured and will miss their opening fixture against Wycombe this weekend.

The striker finished 2023/24 as the top scorer in League Two with an impressive 25 goals.

Outside of Mullin, however, Parkinson currently has very few quality goalscorers on his books.

Ollie Palmer and Jack Marriott will likely lead the line for the Welsh side on Saturday but both players lack the same threat as Mullin.

Palmer scored eight times for Wrexham in 2023/24, a tally which is only likely to decrease in League One.

Marriott, meanwhile, has found the net on just one occasion during his first 17 appearances for the club.

In turn, depending on how long Mullin is sidelined for, Parkinson and co. could seriously struggle for goals in the upcoming campaign.

A new striker should be a priority for Wrexham in the remainder of the 2024 summer transfer window but at present, a deal for any centre-forward does not appear to be close.

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