Manager Phil Parkinson has welcomed a timely piece of good news: wing-back Issa Kabore, on loan from Manchester City, has returned early from his international duty and is expected to feature this weekend against Stoke City. The Wrexham Insider
Kabore has made an immediate impact since his arrival at the club: three assists in his first four appearances underline his attacking potential. The Wrexham Insider His return early from national duty (following a suspension) gives Wrexham a timely boost as they tackle the demands of the Championship.
Parkinson commented that Kabore’s arrival and form have been “a huge bonus”, particularly given the club’s push to consolidate in their new level after successive promotions. The fixture against Stoke is shaping up to be an important test of Wrexham’s resilience and squad depth.

2. Contract renewals & big savings on the horizon


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In a strategic move, Wrexham are preparing to allow eight players to leave the club on free transfers at the end of the 2025-26 season — including striker Jay Rodriguez, who signed in January and is reportedly one of the highest earners at the club. The Wrexham Insider
· It’s estimated that these eight contract expirations could result in a wage bill reduction of approximately £3.46 million. The Wrexham Insider · Rodriguez alone is reported to earn around £1.3 million per annum at Wrexham. The Wrexham Insider
The rationale behind this move seems to be ensuring the club remains financially sustainable as it adapts to the demands of the Championship. With bigger stadiums, higher wages and greater competition, managing the budget carefully is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury.
However, this also raises questions about squad continuity and whether letting potentially influential players go (or allowing contracts to run down) could affect morale or on-field performance. Wrexham will need to balance financial prudence with maintaining competitive momentum.

3. Rapid growth brings strategic risk

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According to senior advisory figure Peter Moore, Wrexham’s speed of ascent — under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — could carry underlying risks. Mandatory
Key concerns highlighted include:

• The club’s home stadium, the Racecourse Ground, has a capacity of approximately 10–12,000. Moore argues this may not be sufficient for long-term sustainability in higher tiers where matchday revenues matter significantly. Mandatory
• Infrastructure and commercial operations will need to scale up quickly to match the club’s new status, which inherently brings greater costs and complexity.

While Wrexham’s story from non-league to the Championship has been nothing short of remarkable, the unique challenge now is staying in the Championship — and potentially pushing further — without over-reaching. As one insider put it: “Growing too fast … you have to keep up financially.” Mandatory
It’s a delicate balance: the buzz and narrative around Wrexham are certainly generating global interest (which is beneficial), but sustaining stability behind the public spectacle is the real test.

Looking Ahead
As Wrexham navigate this pivotal period, several themes are emerging:

• The return of key players like Issa Kabore may sharpen their on-field competitiveness.
• Off-field, clearly strategic decisions are being made around contracts and finances to secure sustainability.
• The club’s infrastructure and long-term business model are under scrutiny, as growth brings both opportunity and risk.

For fans and observers alike, the 2025-26 campaign will be about more than results: it will test whether Wrexham’s upward trajectory can be matched with sound foundations.
And this Saturday’s match against Stoke City could already provide a telling barometer of how well prepared the club is to take the next step.
Would you like a full match preview of the Stoke game or a breakdown of Wrexham’s financial outlook and infrastructure plans?