Wrexham AFC should look to upgrade on Red Dragons regular - Phil Parkinson cannot be sentimental | OneFootball

Phil Parkinson cannot afford to be sentimental in the Championship next season regarding 36-year-old James McClean

There's no denying James McClean has been Mr. Consistent for Wrexham at left-wing back, but now aged 36 and moving back up a level to the Championship, perhaps now is the time for Phil Parkinson to be looking at successors for his position.

Wrexham's third consecutive promotion means the Red Dragons are back in the second-tier for the first time since 1981 - McClean has been instrumental in this success story.

The Irishman started 39 League One matches last season, contributing four goals and seven assists across all competitions while wearing the captain's armband, but he's not played in the second tier since 2022/23 when turning out for Wigan Athletic.

James McClean's age could become a problem in the Championship for Wrexham

Yes, McClean's experience and leadership have been invaluable during Wrexham's rise - but hard decisions must be made by Phil Parkinson if he wants immediate results that no doubt Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be expecting.

The Championship is a significant step up in quality and pace from Leagye One, and they are things that become challenging to maintain as players enter their late thirties.

Former Wrexham midfielder Wayne Phillips has already questioned whether McClean can perform at the level once more to BBC Sport, wondering as to whether he will offer enough to make them competitive in the top half of the division.

McClean himself has acknowledged that time is running out on his playing career, telling the Talking Derry City podcast recently: "All good things one day have to come to an end.

"Whenever that is, the next step for me is to come home and play for Derry City but whenever that is, that's not up to me."

The Irishman is likely going to want to have one last crack at the Championship with Wrexham this coming season, but you get the feeling that Parkinson may already have his sights set on a long-term successor.

Phil Parkinson has been ruthless before with Wrexham fan-favourites - he needs to be prepared to do the same with James McClean

Phil Parkinson has already demonstated his somewhat ruthless streak when it comes to upgrading his squad as Wrexham move up the leagues.

The manager made the difficult decision to release beloved captain Ben Tozer and long-serving Luke Young at the end of the 2023/24 season - despite their combined 377 appearances for the club - and Paul Mullin didn't get a look-in in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, with Jay Rodriguez and Sam Smith's mid-season arrivals shunting him down the pecking order.

This approach has been vindicated by Wrexham's continued success though - with the likes of Smith, Lewis Brunt and Ollie Rathbone filling the boots of the modern-day Red Dragons greats.

It looks as though Parkinson already has his own ideas on how Wrexham could upgrade on McClean, as the Welsh club have already been linked with Owen Beck from Liverpool has emerged as a potential loan target, as per the Daily Mail - he impressed at Blackburn Rovers last summer but could now make the move to the Racecourse Ground.

McClean's contract situation does add urgency to any possible decision. He's entering the final year of his deal - making this summer the ideal time to get a replacement up to speed.

If Wrexham wish to compete with those at the top, that could include 2024/25 League One winners Birmingham City, they need players who can match the division's intensity for 46 matches.

To be clear, upgrading on McClean isn't about disrespecting his contributions, as he was a key player last season - it's about Phil Parkinson trying to continue the Hollywood fairytale and pushing for another promotion.