Wrexham are in the market for quality additions in the January transfer window but Phil Parkinson can already count on some top stars.
The January transfer deadline is now just two weeks away and Wrexham fans are still waiting like kids at Christmas.
Phil Parkinson tends to leave his January business late and that may well be the case again this year.
Wrexham do need to strongly push for additions though with promotion to the Championship on the line.
Thursday’s 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town – and the continued away struggles – mean Wrexham need a boost.
Fans will certainly fear that no additions will cost Wrexham a chance at promotion, but Parkinson at least has stars he can rely on.
Callum Burton on Arthur Okonkwo
One of those is goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
The stopper spent last season on loan at Wrexham from Arsenal before turning his move permanent in the summer.
Okonkwo broke his wrist in November and has only just returned, but he has been superb once again when called upon.
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Now back in action, Okonkwo has reclaimed his position as Wrexham’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Okonkwo was not the only goalkeeper to sign over the summer though as Wrexham also struck a deal for Callum Burton.
Burton’s season may be over after an injury of his own but he has been impressed with Okonkwo.
Speaking on Mark Howard’s ‘Yours Mine Away’ podcast, Burton praised Okonkwo as ‘brilliant’ whilst noting that he is so laid back.
Burton noted that Okonkwo may have rubbed people up the wrong way in a bygone era as he is often the last one out for training, but it works for him.
Burton likened Okonkwo to Sheffield United stoper Michael Cooper as well as Tottenham Hotspur’s Fraser Forster, believing that he has a great skillset alongside the ability to rush out and make saves other goalkeepers simply can’t.
“I think Arthur is brilliant,” said Burton.
“I’ve never met a guy so laid back in my life, but it works for him so well. He comes out for warms up, just goes through his normal warm up and just performs.
“15 years ago, you’d probably have everyone like ‘I’m not having him because he’s last out’ but I’ve not seen him have a bad session yet, or a bad game.
“When you see someone at 6ft 6in and is good with their feet, a good shot stopper… you’re just saying ‘well, it’s a matter of time’, like it was with Coops – it’s the exact same – he’s been brilliant, and the best bit is he’s such a nice guy. You can’t not like him, he smiles all the time and he just enjoys life.
“I had a moment in my career, when I was at Cambridge, Mark Bunn was my goalie coach and I was still half thinking ‘come out and try and make a difference’ and he said ‘just stay deep and save everything, just try staying deep for a game’ and I did it and had a really good game. From there, with shots, I just stay deep because I think it gives you so much more time.
“Arthur is the complete opposite. Arthur sprints down the line of the ball and things just hit him – it’s like watching Fraser Forster, it’s the exact same. I watched him in the first shooting session and I was like ‘how is he saving all these?’ – I could never do that,” he added.
Wrexham need to find more players like Arthur Okonkwo
Wrexham’s rise to League One has mostly been off the back of signing proven, experienced players.
Eoghan O’Connell, Elliot Lee, James McClean, Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer and Steven Fletcher all spring to mind.
Wrexham do also need to add some younger players though and we saw that last summer.
Modou Faal, Sebastian Revan, Lewis Brunt and Josh Adam fit the bill with Wrexham looking to add more talent for the future.
More of those talents are needed at Wrexham and there are no doubt players like Okonkwo in Premier League development squad waiting for a big chance.