Latest news with #EnglishFootball
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Remain Keen On Recruiting This Newcastle United Centre-Forward: Dream Signing For Slot?
In a recent post on X, journalist Sebastien Vidal mentioned that Liverpool remain keen on recruiting Newcastle United centre-forward Alexander Isak. It has been claimed that the Reds are keen on resuming talks with the Magpies over a deal for the Swedish striker in this transfer window. Isak's Impressive Form In English Football Isak enjoyed a productive campaign with the Tyneside club recently as he was responsible for putting in a series of impressive performances for them in front of the opponent's goal. The 25-year-old banged in 27 goals and grabbed six assists in 42 matches for the Magpies last season across all fronts. The Sweden international led the line well for Newcastle based on his average of 3.1 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He kept 43.2% of his attempts on target. Isak even distributed the ball relatively well after completing 75.3% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via Isak's current deal at St. James' Park will run out in the summer of 2028. Hence, it won't be easy for Newcastle to get a deal done for him this off-season. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 13: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Manchester United FC at St James' Park on April 13, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) Is Isak A Dream Signing For Liverpool? Isak excels at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has proven his worth as a prolific goal-scorer in the final third and can create the odd chance for his teammates in the final third. The Swedish sensation is a good dribbler with the ball and can use his strong 1.92m frame to win his fair share of aerial duels in the opponent's half. However, he needs to work on improving his link-up play and securing more assists for his team up top We can expect Isak to bring more firepower to Liverpool head coach Arne Slot's attack. He is good enough to nail down a regular first-team spot at Anfield. At 25, Isak has his best years ahead of him, which makes him a dream signing for the Reds to consider in this summer transfer window. Hence, Slot should focus on getting a deal done for him as he would help the Merseyside club challenge for a lot of major trophies over the next few years.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New additions have Liverpool looking rejuvenated in attack, and withered in defense
It was the Community Shield, and that should not be forgotten. There isn't anybody who has been watching English football for any period of time who hasn't made the mistake of taking too seriously a conclusion drawn in the midst of the traditional curtain-raiser, giddy on the sight of Wembley in its pomp and the return of competitive club football from the summer wilderness. Any analysis has to be tempered. Teams are always works in progress, evolving and developing, but that is never truer than in early August with new signings adapting to their teammates and surroundings, and others shaking the summer from their legs. Things will change. But after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and subsequent defeat on penalties in the Community Shield, it can be said with a degree of certainty that their new signings have gelled better at the front of the pitch than the back. Related: Premier League 2025-26 preview No 12: Liverpool Hugo Ekitiké, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, had hugely encouraging debuts. Ekitiké and the attacking right-back Jeremie Frimpong, another from Leverkusen, both scored. But Liverpool were shockingly, startlingly open at times, as they have been throughout pre-season – and it cost them the game. They are learning a new system, the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid of last season yielding to a 4-2-3-1. It's not a huge shift but Wirtz, as the most advanced of the triangle of central players between the centre-backs and the centre-forward, is very much a forward, whereas Dominik Szoboszlai, who tended to be the most advanced of the central midfield triangle last season, is an attacking midfielder. It's not that Wirtz does not perform his defensive duties – he does, and is notably assiduous in doing so, a highly effective presser of the ball – it's that he does so in slightly different positions. The expectation is that the midfield two in most games going forward, at least when Liverpool are not going to monopolise possession, will be Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Gravenberch was unavailable for the Community Shield after becoming a father on Saturday night, while Mac Allister is still regaining fitness and was restricted to the final 20 minutes. That led to Szoboszlai occupying a deeper role than usual alongside Curtis Jones, who made a convincing case for occupying the role more frequently with a controlled performance in which he completed all 53 of the passes he attempted. It was after he and Ekitiké were withdrawn that Palace began to mount concerted pressure. Coming to terms with an unfamiliar system without the two key cogs at the back of midfield, the area that was always likely to come under pressure with the change of formation, was far from ideal for Liverpool. They had looked entirely comfortable for the first 15 minutes but then a simple straight through-ball opened them up, Jean-Philippe Mateta played onside by at least one and possibly both full-backs as Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté stepped up in the centre. Although Alisson made the initial save, Liverpool were still resetting as the ball was returned to the middle, leading to Van Dijk's clumsy lunge on Mateta and the penalty that brought the first equaliser. Related: Crystal Palace keen to sell captain Marc Guéhi before transfer window closes Van Dijk looked unsettled by what was happening immediately in front of him all afternoon, often stepping into the space Gravenberch might usually have been expected to be occupying, which in turn disrupted the back four. That was what led to the second equaliser: Van Dijk being drawn forward, leaving the gap into which Ismaïla Sarr burst to score. Clearly Gravenberch's absence made a difference but nobody should think that his return will immediately solve the problems. The new shape means a different approach, with Liverpool adopting an aggressive man-to-man press that left space behind the defensive line. Sarr caused problems all game, repeatedly dragging Milos Kerkez, the fourth of the new signings in the starting lineup, infield, which meant Cody Gakpo had to do a lot of work tracking Palace's right wing-back, Daniel Muñoz. None of this is unsolvable, but it does mean that Liverpool may be more defensively vulnerable, at least in the early part of the campaign, than they were in winning the league last season. Ekitiké had an excellent game, his movement and his touch, his awareness, all excellent. Wirtz impressed as well with his energy and invention; the penultimate pass he played in the buildup to the first goal demonstrating his capacity to see opportunities others would not, crafting a service to Ekitiké that took three Palace players out of the game. But for any side making as many changes as Liverpool have this summer, with four big new signings and a fifth perhaps to arrive in Alexander Isak, there will be a degree of uncertainty, a period of bedding in. The possibilities are exciting but, as Slot reshapes the squad to his own specifications, some teething troubles are only to be expected. On this day… Paris Saint-Germain are by some margin the youngest of Europe's giants, having come into being on 11 August 1970, a day after the birth of the former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder Roy Keane. The French capital had no major club which, as European competition became established through the 1960s, came to seem increasingly bizarre. So, in 1969, the French Football Federation, the mayor of Paris, the editor of French sports newspaper l'Équipe and Guy Crescent, who ran the Calberson truck company and was prepared to provide financing, got together to decide the best way of setting up a team for Paris. A referendum confirmed the scheme had overwhelming popularity, voting for the name Paris FC, and, in February 1970, a telethon attracted 10,000 people to sign up as members, each paying 20 francs. But Paris FC had no stadium, players, coach or licence, so a merger was arranged with the second-flight side Stade Saint-Germain, creating Paris Saint-Germain (Paris FC broke away in 1972 and, after promotion this past May, will compete again in the French top flight this season). After the fashion designer Daniel Hechter took over in 1973, redesigning the kit and providing investment, the club gained promotion to the top-flight, moving in to the Parc des Princes in 1974 as Paris FC were relegated. This is an extract from Soccer with Jonathan Wilson, a weekly look from the Guardian US at the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free here. Have a question for Jonathan? Email soccerwithjw@ and he'll answer the best in a future edition.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
New additions have Liverpool looking rejuvenated in attack, and withered in defense
It was the Community Shield, and that should not be forgotten. There isn't anybody who has been watching English football for any period of time who hasn't made the mistake of taking too seriously a conclusion drawn in the midst of the traditional curtain-raiser, giddy on the sight of Wembley in its pomp and the return of competitive club football from the summer wilderness. Any analysis has to be tempered. Teams are always works in progress, evolving and developing, but that is never truer than in early August with new signings adapting to their teammates and surroundings, and others shaking the summer from their legs. Things will change. But after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and subsequent defeat on penalties in the Community Shield, it can be said with a degree of certainty that their new signings have gelled better at the front of the pitch than the back. Hugo Ekitiké, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, had hugely encouraging debuts. Ekitiké and the attacking right-back Jeremie Frimpong, another from Leverkusen, both scored. But Liverpool were shockingly, startlingly open at times, as they have been throughout pre-season – and it cost them the game. They are learning a new system, the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid of last season yielding to a 4-2-3-1. It's not a huge shift but Wirtz, as the most advanced of the triangle of central players between the centre-backs and the centre-forward, is very much a forward, whereas Dominik Szoboszlai, who tended to be the most advanced of the central midfield triangle last season, is an attacking midfielder. It's not that Wirtz does not perform his defensive duties – he does, and is notably assiduous in doing so, a highly effective presser of the ball – it's that he does so in slightly different positions. The expectation is that the midfield two in most games going forward, at least when Liverpool are not going to monopolise possession, will be Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Gravenberch was unavailable for the Community Shield after becoming a father on Saturday night, while Mac Allister is still regaining fitness and was restricted to the final 20 minutes. That led to Szoboszlai occupying a deeper role than usual alongside Curtis Jones, who made a convincing case for occupying the role more frequently with a controlled performance in which he completed all 53 of the passes he attempted. It was after he and Ekitiké were withdrawn that Palace began to mount concerted pressure. Coming to terms with an unfamiliar system without the two key cogs at the back of midfield, the area that was always likely to come under pressure with the change of formation, was far from ideal for Liverpool. They had looked entirely comfortable for the first 15 minutes but then a simple straight through-ball opened them up, Jean-Philippe Mateta played onside by at least one and possibly both full-backs as Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté stepped up in the centre. Although Alisson made the initial save, Liverpool were still resetting as the ball was returned to the middle, leading to Van Dijk's clumsy lunge on Mateta and the penalty that brought the first equaliser. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion Van Dijk looked unsettled by what was happening immediately in front of him all afternoon, often stepping into the space Gravenberch might usually have been expected to be occupying, which in turn disrupted the back four. That was what led to the second equaliser: Van Dijk being drawn forward, leaving the gap into which Ismaïla Sarr burst to score. Clearly Gravenberch's absence made a difference but nobody should think that his return will immediately solve the problems. The new shape means a different approach, with Liverpool adopting an aggressive man-to-man press that left space behind the defensive line. Sarr caused problems all game, repeatedly dragging Milos Kerkez, the fourth of the new signings in the starting lineup, infield, which meant Cody Gakpo had to do a lot of work tracking Palace's right wing-back, Daniel Muñoz. None of this is unsolvable, but it does mean that Liverpool may be more defensively vulnerable, at least in the early part of the campaign, than they were in winning the league last season. Ekitiké had an excellent game, his movement and his touch, his awareness, all excellent. Wirtz impressed as well with his energy and invention; the penultimate pass he played in the buildup to the first goal demonstrating his capacity to see opportunities others would not, crafting a service to Ekitiké that took three Palace players out of the game. But for any side making as many changes as Liverpool have this summer, with four big new signings and a fifth perhaps to arrive in Alexander Isak, there will be a degree of uncertainty, a period of bedding in. The possibilities are exciting but, as Slot reshapes the squad to his own specifications, some teething troubles are only to be expected. Paris Saint-Germain are by some margin the youngest of Europe's giants, having come into being on 11 August 1970, a day after the birth of the former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder Roy Keane. The French capital had no major club which, as European competition became established through the 1960s, came to seem increasingly bizarre. So, in 1969, the French Football Federation, the mayor of Paris, the editor of French sports newspaper l'Équipe and Guy Crescent, who ran the Calberson truck company and was prepared to provide financing, got together to decide the best way of setting up a team for Paris. A referendum confirmed the scheme had overwhelming popularity, voting for the name Paris FC, and, in February 1970, a telethon attracted 10,000 people to sign up as members, each paying 20 francs. But Paris FC had no stadium, players, coach or licence, so a merger was arranged with the second-flight side Stade Saint-Germain, creating Paris Saint-Germain (Paris FC broke away in 1972 and, after promotion this past May, will compete again in the French top flight this season). After the fashion designer Daniel Hechter took over in 1973, redesigning the kit and providing investment, the club gained promotion to the top-flight, moving in to the Parc des Princes in 1974 as Paris FC were relegated. This is an extract from Soccer with Jonathan Wilson, a weekly look from the Guardian US at the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free here. Have a question for Jonathan? Email soccerwithjw@ and he'll answer the best in a future edition.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
From Hollywood royalty to music icons: Which celebrities support YOUR favourite Premier League club ahead of the new season?
When you think of a typical fan of English football, it would be fair to assume that the glamorous faces seen at the most exclusive events in Hollywood do not come to mind – but these women are proving that football fever doesn't discriminate and can grip anybody. For some supporters, they're bound to a football club for life because of the community they grew up in – ingrained in a football team for as long as they can remember, despairing over results week after week. For others all it takes is one game, or even just one individual player, to become infatuated with the sport at any age. Ask any of these women – once that bond has been forged, it's never going to be broken. Actresses, models and singers from all over the world have become smitten with these Premier League clubs over the years and some of their allegiances might surprise you – like the Oscar-winning actress who follows Fulham from the other side of the world. When the Premier League starts again, keep an eye out for the crowd; you might be surprised with who you see cheering their team on! Here, Mail Sport looks at some of the famous fans who will be supporting top flight clubs in the new campaign. Kim Kardashian – Arsenal The ' Keeping up with the Kardashians ' star was seen on a tour around European football grounds with her son Saint and some of his friends, with the highlight being a trip to The Emirates to watch Saints' beloved Arsenal. Whilst the trip was planned for the enjoyment of her son, Kardashian, 44, admitted after the game that her favourite player was Arsenal's very own Bukayo Saka, who called the reality star and her kids on FaceTime after the game. The English forward clearly made a big impression on Kardashian, despite her being labelled as a 'curse' by fans of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, who both lost the games she attended. In her documentary, Kim told sister Kylie that it was 'so fun to be, like, a sports mom'. She continued, 'I'm into it now. I love my girls, but a girl is like… steals your clothes, has an attitude, you know. There's nothing like being a boy mom. Seriously, it's the best!' Vanessa Kirby – Chelsea Star of Marvel's new blockbuster Fantastic Four: First Steps, Kirby's profile has sky-rocketed over the last few years, stemming from her excellent portrayal of Princess Margaret in Netflix drama The Crown. Born in Wimbledon, the actress has kept quiet about her sporting loyalties – until she was asked to choose between Arsenal and Tottenham on the red carpet. Kirby gave the reporter a stern look of disapproval before saying, 'Oh, that's... Chelsea!' The moment went viral amongst the Chelsea fanbase, with supporters of The Blues more than happy to accept the BAFTA winning actress into their ranks. Although, we can't be sure about her attendance, as Kirby is yet to be spotted at Stamford Bridge. Much like the title of her latest box-office hit, Chelsea fans will be patiently waiting for Vanessa to take her first steps into the London-based stadium! Anne Hathaway – Arsenal During a press tour for her film The Idea of You in April 2024, Hathaway was unable to contain her excitement for a goal during an interview as she celebrated Leandro Trossard's strike for Arsenal against Wolves. In doing so, she exposed herself as an avid fan of The Gunners. Belgian forward Trossard then sent a video message to Hathaway, thanking her for her support and inviting the actress down to The Emirates for a game, although it doesn't seem as though the Hollywood star has taken him up on the offer yet. The star of The Devil Wears Prada did recently re-affirm her support for Arsenal, making sure there were no doubts as to where her loyalty lies with her own cover of Arsenal's iconic song North London Forever on her TikTok page. Born in Brooklyn, it's unclear how Anne Hathaway became so obsessed with Arsenal, but one thing is clear – the Interstellar actress knows her stuff about the sport, and Gooners should be keeping an eye out for her next season. Cara Delevingne - Chelsea Model and actress Cara Delevingne was in no way shy when she watched Chelsea beat Man United last year, appearing very animated in the stands. Donning a personalised Chelsea shirt with her name on the back, Delevingne cheered as English star Cole Palmer netted a hat-trick against the Red Devils, with two goals coming in added time. The West End star couldn't have picked a better game to watch her beloved Chelsea, who she has been publicly following since 2014, but in her private life, she's supported The Blues since childhood. Fans may be looking to 32-year-old Cara to introduce fellow Londoner Kirby to Stamford Bridge in the upcoming season – it wouldn't be a bad experience for her in the owners' box. Megan Fox – Manchester United The 39-year-old Transformers star is yet to come out and officially stake her loyalty towards a football club – however, Fox has been spotted in Man United gear on more than one occasion. In 2012, the actress was photographed in the Red Devils' iconic red colours, wearing the name of Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, also known as 'Chicharito', on the back. Separately, Megan wore a shirt featuring the Mexican striker again, with his face next to the logo of Manchester United and the simple message: 'CHICHARITO'S TEAM'. In fairness, it seems as though the 39-year-old from Tennessee may just be a fan of Javier Hernandez; regardless, the Manchester United fans are claiming her as one of their own. Margot Robbie – Fulham Fulham have a history of unexpected celebrity connections – first, a statue of Michael Jackson outside Craven Cottage stadium and now, the unwavering support of Australian actress Margot Robbie. 'I've pledged my allegiance to Fulham, so I want Fulham to win' said the Barbie star. Her loyalty to the London club comes from husband Tom Ackerley, with the film producer being a huge supporter of his local club. Fresh off her newfound fame from The Wolf of Wall Street, Robbie first visited Craven Cottage in 2014, when Fulham were defeated 1-0 by Millwall in the Championship. Since then, the Cottagers have been promoted to the top division and solidified their place in the Premier League; the Australian will have been delighted with the 10th place finish for Marco Silva's men last season. Angelina Jolie – Liverpool Angelina's ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton is a huge Liverpool fan, and, whilst the two have been separated for years, it is widely reported that she is still affectionate towards Liverpool FC. Two of her children, Shiloh and Maddox, are also passionate supporters of the Merseyside club who 'only want to play for Liverpool' – it's hard to imagine that their mother didn't have some sway in their love for the team. Jolie has never come out and publicly stated that she supports Liverpool, so it's unsurprising that she hasn't been seen at Anfield. However, with an ex-husband who loves the club and two boys who wear Liverpool gear head to toe; she's at least an honorary Liverpool fan, even if she won't say it herself. Dame Judi Dench – Everton Born in Yorkshire, 90-year-old Dame Judi Dench is a big fan of The Toffees and has been an honorary patron of the club's charity for over a decade. Dame Judi was introduced to the club by late husband and avid supporter Michael Williams and kept Everton in the family by taking her grandson Sam to a number of matches – he was never going to be anything except a Blue. The stage and screen star was one of several famous faces who shared some words at the end of last season, commemorating the legendary Goodison Park as The Toffees prepared to move into their new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Few celebrities are as committed to their football teams as Dame Judi, a testament to her dedication and loyalty. The former James Bond star was introduced to the club by late husband and avid supporter Michael Williams Lana Del Rey – Liverpool Lana first visited Anfield in 2013, posing with captain and legend Steven Gerrard. 26 years old at the time, she said she followed Liverpool as well as Celtic due to her then-boyfriend, however as time has passed her loyalties have focused on the Reds. 'I was introduced to Liverpool FC by my manager, Ben, whose mood is dependent on the Liverpool results. I love watching Luis Suarez play,' said the singer. 'It's actually my second time in Liverpool but my first time at Anfield. The people in Liverpool are so friendly and the stadium's really impressive.' Lana covered the famous Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in 2020 for a documentary about the football club and returned to Anfield this summer as part of her UK and Ireland tour. Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown has been a Liverpool fan since her dad bought her a shirt as a child Millie Bobby Brown – Liverpool The third and final Liverpool supporter on this list, Stranger Things superstar Millie Bobby Brown has been enchanted by the Merseyside team since her dad bought her a Liverpool shirt at a young age. Millie was in the stands with Adolescence actor Owen Cooper to watch Liverpool secure their 20th Premier League title against Tottenham last season. The Reds eased past the north London side 5-1 to ensure they lifted the title, kicking off the celebrations for the two young stars watching on. She was seen at Anfield as early as 2016 when she was catapulted to fame by her performance as Eleven in the popular Netflix show, but it wouldn't be surprising to find out she had been in attendance at Anfield long before then. At the time, when Millie was just 12 years old, she was asked if she can still watch games due to the time difference in America, which she answered with a resounding yes: 'When I'm in America, it is like 4am and we're watching the game. When we're here, it's obviously whenever the games are on. We get people over – it's an event for us,' she told Liverpool.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Forget Ryan Reynolds – meet the man plotting Wrexham's stunning rise to the Premier League
Anticipation is building to a fever pitch ahead of the 2025-26 Championship season, and Wrexham are preparing to play their first match in the compelling and cruel second tier of English football since the 1981-82 campaign. Wrexham have undergone a seismic metamorphosis since being purchased by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds through Wrexham Holdings LLC in November 2020, becoming the first club in the history of England's top five football divisions to achieve back-to-back-to-back promotions. And while there have been several protagonists in that journey, one of the most important instigators in their growth is Les Reed. After a lone managerial spell at Charlton in 2006, Reed rebuilt his reputation at Southampton as head of development, eventually winding up in a surprise role as a football strategy adviser to Wrexham's board in 2021, with the Red Dragons starting their incredible rise through the English football pyramid. 'It was the strangest conversation I've ever had in terms of getting a job and starting overnight,' Reed tells The Independent. 'I got a call from [Wrexham director] Shaun Harvey, who said, 'They want you to look after the business and the football strategy.' I'd worked with Shaun before when he was the CEO at the EFL, so I said, 'Why not?' 'There was one game left in the season after the completion of the buyout, away at Dagenham, and then we had 10 days to come up with the released and retained list of players. He asked, 'Can you get to the game and work on the list?' I'd never seen Wrexham play in the current era, and I didn't know any of their players … I went to the game undercover, and I wasn't impressed.' Reed wasted no time overhauling the squad, reshaping it after manager Dean Keates departed following the expiry of his contract. He spent several days glued to his laptop, poring over footage to decide which players to keep and which to get rid of. After five days, he received another call, asking if he could identify the club's next coach. Reed pushed for Phil Parkinson, a shrewd move: the English coach is still in charge on the eve of their return to the Championship. With the help of the FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, the club's brand and financial strength exploded, attracting TikTok as kit sponsor, while their season-ticket sales trebled to more than 5,800 ' Welcome to Wrexham is significantly important because it's made Wrexham a destination club, both for fans and players, but it's also meant that the revenues can be increased in a different way to most clubs,' added Reed. 'You can max out your ticketing, your matchday hospitality, your merchandising and stuff like that. It brings all that to a much wider global audience and allows you to look at other revenue streams that you couldn't have without that. But mainly, it helps Wrexham become sustainable in the long term, which is twofold. 'It means Rob and Ryan don't have to keep putting their hands in their pockets, because we generate those revenues anyway, and, secondly, it works much better in the PSR or FFP regulations, enabling us to reinvest in the squad and players. It helps bring the entire community of Wrexham to life, but also to life elsewhere in the world, where even our pub landlord is a superstar celebrity in the United States. It's done a fantastic job revitalising the community… it's brought the history of Wrexham into people's living rooms.' The Red Dragons finished atop the National League in 2022-23, ending a run of 15 consecutive years outside the Football League. They followed that up by finishing second in League Two, and another runner-up finish in League One last term. But although their meteoric ascent has been no doubt buoyed by a financial affluence that isn't normally afforded to lesser-funded clubs, they've nevertheless done so while also building for the future and ensuring strength and stability for years to come. 'It's about having the right long-term strategy which encompasses initial success,' Reed notes. 'No one will buy into the long term if you're going nowhere in the first three years, so you've got to have these two parallel strands of winning now and winning in the future. 'And to do that, you need to have the right infrastructure. It doesn't necessarily mean bells and whistles training grounds, but the right people in the key jobs to make that happen in a structure where it all fits together and works well together. I've seen mistakes happen where an owner will buy a club and try to turn them around like a merger or an acquisition and get quick wins, using similar strategies to the ones they would use in business and trying to apply them to football. 'There are two entities that make up a football club: the business entity and the sporting entity. Understanding the culture of the game is really important to get your business strategy right. Otherwise, what we see often is business strategy driving change, money spent on this, money spent on that, and then nothing gets better. And then the owner will say, 'I've spent all my money, I'm not spending it any more. I've done enough.' And then the fans get upset because they think the owner doesn't care. So it's really important that the investment comes with a really good sound strategy.' The third-oldest professional football club in the world, Wrexham have prepared for the Championship season with yet another blockbuster squad overhaul. They have splurged a total of £11m on eight new players, including England international defender Conor Coady, Wales striker Kieffer Moore and ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien, players with not just Championship experience but Premier League pedigree as well. It begs the question – just what exactly constitutes a successful 2025-26 season for Wrexham? 'A successful season is one where we build the squad and prove ourselves to be a top-end Championship team in terms of being competitive on the pitch and using that improvement to add requirements to the way we work, prepare, and train,' Reed maintains. 'Our budget across the club is not just sustainable, but it's growing in order for us to act in the January window if we need to kick on, or if we have a really good chance of getting promoted. No one's foolish enough to predict that Wrexham will go up, but we know it's our target.' 'We want to go up, our fans want us to go up, but my experience tells me that you can't just measure success by going up. If we don't go up, then what happens? Does everybody get fired? Do we panic like a lot of clubs would? No, we wouldn't, but we'd want to be in a position to make sure we're stronger next year. 'So success for me would be that we had a real chance of going up, whether that was automatic or through the playoffs. I think we'd be a good playoff team if it came to it, but what we want to be is a team that maintains that competitiveness in another season. Not going up doesn't mean the castle falls down and we are struggling the following year.' Wrexham travel to the south coast and St Mary's on Saturday, to take on a Southampton team who were two divisions above them last season. Now just one promotion away from the Premier League, the fun is just starting for McElhenney, Reynolds and co.
