The 3 reasons why Wrexham are right to stay patient with Harry Ashfield’s loan transfer in the ongoing January transfer window.
The Harry Ashfield loan transfer rumours have been dragging on for a week. During the previous week, it was evident that League Two relegation fighters Bristol Rovers were willing to bet big on Ashfield’s talent and prize him away on a January loan until the end of the season.
But it’s January 14 already, and the progress on Ashfield’s transfer has stayed almost non-existent. So, what’s happening behind the scenes? Wrexham fans have had all these doubts in their mind for several days, but now boss Phil Parkinson has opened up on the matter.
In Parkinson’s words, the Leader Live quoted him saying: “There’s a lot of clubs ringing about Harry and rightly so because he’s a very good player.” So, it’s confirmed that Wrexham haven’t changed their stance on loaning out Ashfield.
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It’s true that time doesn’t wait for anybody, and the January transfer window will slam shut after fifteen days. Still, being patient with academy graduate Harry Ashfield is right from Wrexham’s point of view and below are 3 reasons for it.
League Two is nowhere near Championship level
This statement sounds obvious, because 4th division and 2nd division football are bound to have a vast difference in quality. But in Ashfield’s case, it’s a concerning issue. Right now, Wrexham are performing against Championship opposition day in day out, thus, every young and promising player should atleast be on a similar skill level.
The closest match to Championship toughness is League One. Had Bristol Rovers been a League One participant at the moment, there would be no worries about a competitive environment for Ashfield. But the Gas are fourth tier material, and it’s unclear whether they will remain a part of the 92 football league clubs for the upcoming season.
Noting this factor, it’s better for Wrexham to search for a club atleast one level above Bristol Rovers. If the time permits in the current window.
Wrexham academy talents who struggled with wrong club selection
Building on the first point, another major responsibility for Harry Ashfield and Wrexham is correct club selection. Plenty of Wrexham’s academy talents have previously gone on loan spells to gain first team exposure. From the outside, many of them were destined to make it big in their careers but couldn’t just because of picking the wrong transfer moves.
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Similar to Ashfield, Dan Jones was another academy gem at Wrexham. But a terrible transfer to Colwyn Bay in 2023 hindered his career and now he is a free agent at present.
Like Jones, Ryan Austin used to be another defensive prodigy at Wrexham and got a 2023 transfer in search for more playing time. Fast forward to now, he is playing in the Welsh second tier with diminishing hopes of ever returning to the English football league structure.
There is no shortage of such stories about unfulfilled potentials, thus, ensuring Rovers need Ashfield as much as Ashfield needs Rovers is a must for Wrexham.
Selling value of Harry Ashfield
Let’s be honest. The way Wrexham are climbing positions in the Championship, it doesn’t feel that Premier League football is a thing of the distant future at Racecourse.
So, when the Reds will move upto the top-flight, will they require young projects like Harry Ashfield for the squad’s needs? Most likely, no. Unless and until Ashfield turns to be a generational star and shows signs of working his way at a Premier League elite.
If that happens, only then Wrexham can count on Ashfield for a playmaker role. Besides it, the 19 year old’s future sale value will appeal the Red Dragons. In recent years, Championship clubs have started splurging multi million transfer fees to acquire rising stars and Harry Ashfield could be exchanged for a handsome transfer fee.
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