Wrexham academy graduate Max Cleworth has entered into a five-star 2025/26 EFL Championship stat that will leave Wrexham fans proud of the 23-year-old defender.
No Wrexham fan would be living under a rock to have missed the alarming promotion call. With Wrexham enduring back-to-back punches in Troy Deeney’s verdict & a tight stat slap, Parky & co need the fans’ support more than ever to survive from here.
And the fans? Still hesitating to accept it’s only their defensive well-being standing between Wrexham & their promotion hopes.
No, the Dragons haven’t been abysmal in this department, but definitely not good enough to be called a top side. Credit to Transfermarkt’s tally, Wrexham have conceded one of the most goals in their last 4 games, and that could only worsen with Preston striker Osmajic back on time.
In this situation, a bold call from Parky must come, and he knows where to take inspiration from. Remember that half-time substitution against Hull? Bringing in Callum Doyle for Scarr may not have changed the result, but it laid the foundation for something strong.
Touchwood, Doyle has been one of the best in the defensive department since then. Who knows, he might be boss Parkinson’s secret weapon to nullify Osmajic’s effect today?
But whatever changes the pre-game lineup sheet may reflect, one name’s bound to be present there. He’s none other than Wrexham’s homegrown star, Max Cleworth, who’s been their best defender this season.
Cleworth is one of the 5-Championship stars to play every minute
Ask Dragon fans, and they’d just want 2 more Cleworth clones to safeguard their defence. And rightly so, since he’s never left the club badge unguarded even for a minute this season.
Recently, The Wrexham Lowdown brought the defender’s underrated stat among Dragon fans, quoting: “This stat has changed as Max is in fact one of only FIVE outfield players to play every minute in the Championship this season. The other four are Helik (OUFC), Burgess (Swans), O’Shea (ITFC), Clarke (DCFC)”
That’s definitely not forgetting Cleworth is the youngest of all the centre-backs present in this tally. Despite competing against much more experienced stars, the 23-year-old has stamped his authority on his own.
In a comparison among all these 90-minute men, Cleworth’s offensive ability stands out apart from his defensive contribution. Having added 4 goals, his output has been double that of Helik, O’Shea & Clarke.
Even on the standards of defensive discipline, Cleworth’s 2 yellow cards this season end runner-up against Ipswich Captain O’Shea, who’s never been booked. The same is true for defensive stability, where Cleworth forms an integral part of Wrexham, which has conceded more goals than just Ipswich among these sides.
Should Max Cleworth be Wrexham’s next Captain?
Okay, I sense those utterly gobsmacked faces, but hear me out on what might be the most unpopular Wrexham opinion you heard in 2025.
Primarily, my interest arises from the combination of two complementary factors. One being Parky’s “multi-Captain” claim on his Wrexham squad & the other being a depreciating performance of the existing arm-band holders.
No disrespect to Hyam, but the Coventry 2-time promotion-winner has recently been a shadow of his past self. Something similar is true for James McClean, who’s out serving a 3-game suspension.
I know… I know, the next names in the Captaincy pecking order have been exceptional, with players like Windass & Matty James shining for Wrexham. Still, with these names moving in their 30s, relying on Cleworth’s potential can be a step ahead.
That’s because, as blunt as it sounds, he’s the perfect Wrexham representation over any other player. Having risen through the academy ranks, Cleworth’s been the only face at the Red Dragons from their pre-Rob & Ryan era.
Combine it with his positional advantage as a centre-back & his immense potential, Cleworth ought to be Wrexham’s best Captain material in the future. Yes, still 23, the defender’s got to learn the dark arts of captaincy, to know what extends beyond the good side of football.
High chances are you would nod in at this gradual inclusion of Cleworth as a leader rather than an immediate Captaincy promotion. Who knows, one day we may see him making Wrexham proud with the PL win every Dragon has been waiting for throughout his life.
