The Championship is going to be a big step up for Wrexham and they’ll need all the help they can get, so these five Premier League starlets could be the key.
Wrexham did the unthinkable this season, securing a third-successive promotion to make it out of League One at the first attempt.
Life in the Championship will be exciting, of course, but it could prove very challenging for Phil Parkinson and the Wrexham squad.
We know Wrexham will have money to spend in the second tier, but it’s not just about snapping up big signings. No, the Red Dragons need to think shorter term as well, and look to the loan market for support as they look to establish themselves in the Championship.
Here, The Wrexham Insider highlights five young Premier League talents that Parkinson could borrow ahead of next season.
Wrexham need to make the most of the loan market this summer
Jamie Donley
A player who will be on every Championship club’s wishlist this summer will be Tottenham Hotspur’s playmaker Jamie Donley.
The 20-year-old has spent the season on loan with Wrexham’s League One rivals Leyton Orient and has eight goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances.
Wrexham have already been told to sign Donley this summer, and it is very likely Spurs will look to send the youngster out again with a view to testing him at a higher level.
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His versatility — Donley can play in the 10 role, up front, or even out wide — would make him a fantastic addition to Parkinson’s squad, and there’s every chance he explodes to become one of the Championship’s best players next season.
George Earthy
This one would be a tough one, largely because his parent club, West Ham, are thought to be keen to assess his talents over the summer, but George Earthy would be a top signing if Wrexham could pull it off.
He’s been on loan at Bristol City this season, registering three goals and one assist in 39 appearances as the Robins made it to the Championship play-offs.
Earthy offers similar versatility and creativity to Donley, though he also comes with that extra bit of experience that could be crucial for Wrexham.
Whether West Ham let him leave on loan again remains to be seen. Earthy could well be the next Hammers academy graduate to make an impact in the first-team there, but Wrexham should at least test the waters.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
Wrexham’s defensive line is going to be tested more than ever next season. The likes of Eoghan O’Connell and Tom O’Connor put in impressive displays in the third tier, but whether they can handle the step-up is another matter.
What Parkinson needs is a defender with more dynamism, agility, and a little more ball-playing ability. What better source to get that than by borrowing Manchester City’s next bright talent?
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has already featured for Pep Guardiola’s side this season with eight appearances, including a start in the Champions League. It’s an ambitious target, then, but we know Wrexham like to push the boundaries of what’s expected of them.
Guardiola may feel that, after a difficult season this year, he needs to recruit new players to improve his squad, which could push Simpson-Pusey down the pecking order and leave him needing first-team experience.
Indeed, a full campaign strutting his stuff in the Championship would be massive for the 19-year-old.
Harry Amass
James McClean is a Wrexham legend, but he isn’t getting any younger. The Red Dragons’ skipper is 36-years-old now and it’s time to think about the future.
We already know Wrexham are eyeing Manchester United youngster Jack Kingdon this summer, but they should add Harry Amass to that list, too.
The young full-back is struggling to break through at Old Trafford and would obviously love the chance to prove himself.
He’s a more defensive player than McClean, but that might not be a bad thing for Wrexham if they want to tighten up and ensure they don’t get turned over in the Championship.
Jayden Danns
Wrexham were linked with Jayden Danns in January, but it was Sunderland who snapped up the Liverpool striker in the end. That move turned out to be a disaster, though, with the 19-year-old picking up an injury immediately and not featuring at all for the Black Cats.
This summer is crucial for Danns’ development, then, and Wrexham could hand him a lifeline. Just because this loan spell with Sunderland hasn’t worked out, doesn’t mean Danns can’t still be a great asset for any Championship club.
He’s an athletic, powerful striker who knows where the net is, and what’s more, he’s going to be desperate to prove himself next season. Plus, Liverpool will be eager for him to go out on loan, too, so it’s a win-win for Wrexham if they want a simple deal.