Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson has said the club is prioritizing 'quality, not quantity' in the transfer market -Credit:Martin KEEP / AFP via Getty Images Having brought in 13 senior players during last summer’s transfer window, the addition of just three new faces to Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham roster so far this year has come as somewhat of a surprise. To date, the Red Dragons - who are co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac - have shelled out $20.75 million on goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland, full-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace, and midfielder Ben Whiteman from Preston North End.
Wrexham’s quiet transfer window has coincided with an equally quiet start to the season, losing their EFL Cup opener against Middlesbrough 1-0 before starting their Championship campaign off with 1-1 draws against Cardiff City and Watford, leaving them 13th in the table. Phil Parkinson's side has yet to win a competitive game this season -Credit:Andrew Lewis/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images With the September 1 transfer deadline rapidly approaching, team CEO Michael Williamson has opened up on their approach to the market this summer, explaining that it had shifted from a year prior to focus on “quality.”
“This year, going into the transfer market this summer, we said we are looking to add some quality, not quantity,” he said in an interview with BBC Radio Wales, via SI. “We had the foundations of a really strong Championship squad, then we knew we needed to be competitive and make a little bit of a difference. “We have been going after it, but I think what happens is the players we are going after are top-quality players. We are looking to make an impact.
“It has been great to bring in Patterson, Imray and Whiteman so far this summer. Those are quality, quality Championship players. For us, it is about finding that quality. There are a few more pieces we want to bring in, certainly, but we are competing with some big clubs out there.” Exactly where these “pieces” would fit in, Williamson did not specify. However, likely to the disappointment of many fans, it seems they may not be attacking additions.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE “I think there are probably 72 other clubs looking for the same shiny new striker,” he replied when pressed on the fans’ desire for more attacking prowess. “That's the challenging one to find — a striker who is great with his feet, great with his head, great at hold-up play, has finishing quality, is 6ft 5in and wants to move to Wrexham. That is your £40 million [$54.5 million] striker right there!
“I think we have two great strikers on the pitch right now. Kieffer [Moore] had a great match on Monday; everyone saw last season what the quality of Sam Smith was at Championship level. “We are pretty comfortable with those two up top. I think what we need is just to add a little bit of that quality and different pieces on the pitch just to be able to give them the opportunity to score more goals.” Acquiring such talent is easier said than done though, given the caliber of teams Wrexham are up against in the transfer market.
• Enzo Maresca admits Manchester City starting XI issue as Marc Guehi deployed in midfield • Gianni Infantino suffers another blow as regional governing body ‘lose confidence in FIFA President’ “There are a few places on the pitch we are looking to bring in quality, and what you are competing against isn't just the Premier League or top-end Championship clubs; it is clubs in the top five leagues around Europe,” Williamson said. “That is who Wrexham are today.
We are looking to bring in not an average player, we are looking to bring in players that are being recruited at a top level across the top five leagues.” While Wrexham may be competing with clubs at the very top for players, they still have a way to go if they’re to reach the pinnacle of English soccer. With two of their 46 league games already played, there's no time to waste if the Red Dragons are to make it four promotions in five seasons and, in so doing, reach the Premier League for the first time in their history.
Next up for Parkinson’s side is a visit from the Tom Brady co-owned Birmingham City on Friday, before a trip to league leaders Millwall on September 2.
