Phil Parkinson's Wrexham AFC standout draws comparisons to player who hit Sunderland, Ipswich Town heights | OneFootball

How Wrexham's star man Ryan Barnett is starting to emulate the performances of former legend Carlos Edwards.

Wrexham currently sit third in League One, aiming for back-to-back-to-back promotions. Their ridiculous achievements and recent form can be partly attributed to wing-back Ryan Barnett, who's been a revelation since signing just over two years ago.

Wrexham purchased the then-23-year-old from Solihull Moors for an undisclosed fee back in January 2023 and since then, he's become one of the first names on the team sheet for Phil Parkinson's side.

During the current season, Barnett has been 'Mr Reliable'. He's only missed one game in the league, which was against Peterborough through injury. Except for the game against the Posh, he's been an ever-present selection in the Reds' first XI and his stats show why.

Barnett's output in the final third has been ridiculous. The wing-back is currently leading the division with the most assists and has chipped in with goals as well.

His attacking ability on the right flank has allowed Wrexham to be so much more devastating in attack despite the likes of Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer not producing their goalscoring numbers.

Without Barnett's impact, Parkinson's side may not have been able to maintain a promotion challenge.

Ryan Barnett has drawn comparisons to Wrexham legend Carlos Edwards

Due to Barnett's superb performances down the right flank for the Reds during this season, there are comparisons to be made to Wrexham legend and former Premier League man Carlos Edwards.

Edwards signed for Wrexham in 2000 for a reported £250,000. He was integral during Wrexham's promotion to the Championship in 2003.

He was named as Wrexham's player of the year and in the EFL League One team of the year for the 2002/03 season.

In that season, Edwards' was an attacking force down the right flank – just as Barnett has been this term. His quality off the wing enabled Andy Morrell to score 34 goals in all competitions as the North Wales club secured promotion.

Carlos Edwards moved to Sunderland and played in the Premier League

After two more seasons at Wrexham, he moved briefly to Luton Town and then onto Roy Keane's Sunderland, who were around the bottom of the Championship when he signed for them in January 2007.

The Trinidadian winger turned out to be a superstar during the second half of that season for the Black Cats.

He scored five goals in the remaining five months of the season. But his 80th-minute winner against Burnley was the goal that secured Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League, an amazing comeback considering they were near the bottom of the league at Christmas. This is now known as "the Mackem Miracle."

Carlos Edwards was loved at Ipswich Town as well

After 35 total appearances in the Premier League with Sunderland over two seasons, Edwards moved back to the Championship, signing for the Tractor Boys in 2009.

The then-30-year-old spent five seasons at Ipswich Town, where he made 176 appearances in the second tier and became a club hero, scoring nine goals alongside 18 assists as both a right-winger and a right-back.

Ryan Barnett can hit the heights set by Carlos Edwards

In terms of their contributions at Wrexham, the comparison between Barnett and Edwards is clear to see – two creative sparks off the right that are and were integral to a promotion challenge.

Of course, Edwards is remembered by Wrexham fans as a club legend while Barnett has most of his career ahead of him and could well go on to hit the same heights as the former did in the years to come.

The Parkinson favourite has had recent interest from clubs higher up the divisions. Preston North End and Stoke City of the Championship both registered interest, alongside Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, who could've offered him regular European football.

But the good news for Wrexham fans is that when speaking to BBC Sport, the flying wing-back squashed any rumors of an exit, stating: "I've loved it. I feel at home here. Long may it continue."

While Edwards had to move on to reach the pinnacle of English football, Barnett might not have to go anywhere if Wrexham are able to achieve their ambitious dreams of being a Premier League club before long.