Wrexham head coach Phil Parkinson has highlighted a major shift in the club’s approach to player recruitment.

Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney seem set to flex their financial muscles come January as they chase a fairytale rise to the Championship. Amidst the buzz of an event in New York, former football league head Shaun Harvey hinted at an action-packed transfer window.

The news comes on the heels of Wrexham‘s internal revamp which saw Michael Williamson taking over from Fleur Robinson as CEO last summer. It heralded a younger line-up for the squad including players like Arthur Okonkwo, Seb Revan, Lewis Brunt, and Mo Faal.

Parkinson aired his views on the ‘Men in Blazers’ podcast, reflecting on how rivals Birmingham City’s splurge had rocked the market during the summer. He said: “Going back to the summer, the transfer market was really chaotic because Birmingham set the bar so high.

“They gave the market an unrealistic look in terms of the money they were paying, wages wise and with transfer fees. We knew we couldn’t compete with that. When our new chief executive Mike Williamson came in, we sat down together and we decided to reduce the age range of the group. I’m pleased with what we did.”

Okonkwo has made a significant impact as the goalkeeper, impressing during his loan at Wrexham from Arsenal last season. The 23-year-old quickly returned to the starting line-up in League One, securing eight clean sheets in 14 games before suffering a broken wrist against Mansfield Town earlier this month, reports Wales Online.

Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has impressed after signing permanently

Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has impressed after signing permanently ( 

Image:

MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

While some of the other young players have had limited playing time, Parkinson believes they will become crucial for the club. He said: “Arthur was a great signing, as well as Seb, Lewis and Mo, just to name a few of those younger group of players who maybe aren’t all quite ready to go bang now, but will grow with the club as we go along.

“It’s very difficult to compete with Bolton and Birmingham and those clubs, but we’ve got to have a different strategy now. I was pleased with the way we operated in the summer. A few of those players I’ve mentioned are going to be really good signings for us going forward.”

Okonkwo’s season may be on hold for now, with the manager highlighting an initial recovery time of at least six weeks. However, Parkinson believes he has the potential to play at a much higher level if he continues on his current path.

He said: “He’s a perfect signing for the profile of Wrexham Football Club. He’s someone who’s great now, but as the club develops, will stay on the journey with us and be good enough to progress.”

“He’s got the ability to make difficult saves look easy. We see all the time in training that he can produce match winning saves and key moments in games. I’ve got a lot of faith in Arthur and I think he could go right to the top.”