Wrexham: Premier League dream or Championship nightmare?

Wrexham: A Fairy Tale in the Championship?

After achieving their third consecutive promotion, an unprecedented milestone in English football, Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, prepares for its debut in the Championship. The expectation is high, but the challenge is greater.

“I remember the first time I did a press conference there. They asked me: ‘¿How far do you think this dream goes?’. And I said: ‘We are going to take this team to the Premier League’. They laughed, even the players laughed. But now they are not laughing. We are in the Championship”.

Ryan Reynolds

Since Reynolds and McElhenney acquired the club in 2021, the Premier League has been the goal. The path, however, is arduous. The Championship is a competitive league with significant financial challenges. Wrexham’s promotion to the Championship is a remarkable achievement, but the reality of the second English division is different. In the last 12 seasons, most of the teams promoted from League One have been relegated. The case of Ipswich Town, which has been promoted twice in a row, offers a glimmer of hope. However, Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson is aware of the challenges. “I want to make sure we are prepared for the future so that, when we reach the Premier League, we can stay and not fall like other clubs.” The Championship is characterized by its high investment and disproportionate spending compared to revenue. Clubs seek promotion at all costs, which generates fierce competition.

The financial landscape in the Championship is uneven, with teams receiving significant payments after relegation from the Premier League. This creates a gap between the richer clubs and the newly promoted ones. Wrexham has invested in signings, but its squad still doesn’t match the value of other Championship teams. While the squad value has increased significantly, the team is at the bottom of the table in terms of total value. The team’s average age is also a factor to consider. With an aging squad, internal improvement could be limited. According to projections, Wrexham is expected to focus on defense. Despite this, the chances of promotion are low, while the risk of relegation is considerable. After three consecutive promotions, success for Wrexham this season will be measured by avoiding relegation.