Why Wrexham AFC beating Birmingham City to Liverpool transfer will lead to a new dilemma | OneFootball

Adding Lewis Koumas will force Phil Parkinson to make some tough calls

Versatility and depth may be a luxury to have for an EFL manager, though it can also force them into a difficult and at times impossible decision.

While so many players have come through the door already at Wrexham AFC, there are calls for the club to add yet another attacking player to their ranks before the transfer window closes.

The injury to Kiefer Moore and a lack of finishing against Southampton last weekend have given Phil Parkinson a lot to think about as we inch closer towards the transfer window's September 1 deadline.

Wrexham could use more Championship depth

In their first Championship fixture in 43 years, the Red Dragons performed admirably, minutes away from upsetting title favorites Southampton. There were plenty of valuable lessons that they could take away from that performance.

For the most part, the club's summer signings lived up to their billing, with Josh Windass displaying plenty of magical moments, while Conor Coady was dangerous on set pieces and a commanding presence in the backline. In addition to that, Lewis O'Brien created his share of scoring opportunities and was strong on set-pieces, Liberato Cacace added plenty of width and pace on the flank, and Kieffer Moore was a massive threat in the air.

There was a lot to like about every newcomer we saw at St Mary's Stadium, though when you saw the bench, it was clear there's an element missing from this squad at this level: depth. Elliot Lee and Sam Smith have shown in the past that they can be impact players for this team, but the former hasn't played in the second tier since 2020-21, while the latter has fewer than 10 caps at this level.

Besides those two, the only truly experienced Championship attacking player that Parkinson could call upon is Ryan Hardie, who was adequate off the bench last weekend.

Moore also went down with an apparent ligament injury which, regardless of how serious it may or may not be or what the club says, may push them to sign another attacking player with either Championship or Premier League experience.

Plenty of teams are interested in Lewis Koumas

As if it wasn’t hard enough for Lewis Koumas to get playing time with the Liverpool first-team before this summer, it may now feel nearly impossible. The additions of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitiké are expected to be mainstays in the squad for years to come. Add to that the strong preseason of Rio Ngumoha, and it's clear that, as talented as he is, Koumas doesn't fit into Liverpool's plans next season and might not in the long term either.

The Liverpool Echo reports that as many as eight teams could be interested in the Welsh international, who has six caps for the national team. Among them are Wrexham, Birmingham City, Norwich City, Sheffield United, Hull City, Preston North End, Oxford United and La Liga side Sevilla. Koumas spent last season on loan at Stoke City, scoring three goals and collecting two assists in the Championship.

Last season Koumas played under three different managers at Stoke. He had expected goals of 5.13, and was a presence in the attacking third, with 110 touches in that area of the pitch.

Signing Lewis Koumas would give Wrexham a new dilemma

For good reason, many sides are entertaining a move for Lewis Koumas. Among the biggest is his versatility. The 19-year-old born in Chester can play on either flank, as a striker, a number 10 or even as a box-to-box midfielder.

Earlier this month, Birmingham World suggested he would be utilised as a utility player next season should he join the Blues. Demarai Gray and Keshi Anderson are among those more experienced than Koumas, who Chris Davies would likely look to before Koumas. Meanwhile, last week, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman spoke to Football League World, saying: "I am not sure at this stage of his career that Lewis Koumas would get regular game time at Birmingham City.

"Ultimately, last season at Stoke, he started off well and looked a real handful, a real threat. But there were inconsistencies, no doubt about it. You are always going to get that with young players."

Finding a place for Koumas in Phil Parkinson's set-up may be even tougher. Of course, with injuries, it's beneficial to plug a player in at various positions, but where is the big question with Koumas at Wrexham.

In a 3-5-2, Koumas could come in for Cacace on the left, as Parkinson often takes off his wing-backs, who expend a lot of energy. Koumas could also be a central striker, though the Welshman would be hard-pressed to start in either role unless injuries piled up.

In a 3-4-2-1, he could play on the left wing, with Cacace and Windass operating in behind a central striker, or Koumas could be a lone attacker, though no matter which way you go, he’s not likely to start.

Around this time last year, Liverpool confirmed he'd signed a long-term contract, though a lot has changed at the club since then. If they want to see him develop on loan, they may not want to see him be simply a depth, who plays once in a while. At Koumas' age of 19, he'd want meaningful minutes for himself as well.

It would be difficult for Parkinson to place Koumas in an ideal position, but if he comes on loan, the Wrexham boss will be under pressure from the Reds to give him playing time. Koumas is an exciting attacking player who can bring a lot of energy and creativity.

As well-rounded as Koumas is, though, it could give Parkinson headaches and make it an impossible dilemma for him to know where to properly place the talented Welsh player. In the end, Koumas at Wrexham may offer more risk than reward.