Wrexham are looking dangerous already, but have now added one of Coventry City’s best performers in recent seasons to their strong Championship squad. Ben Sheaf has joined Phil Parkinson’s side on a three-year deal.
Sheaf was an Arsenal academy graduate who featured just twice for the North London side before three loan spells to Stevenage, Doncaster Rovers and Coventry culminated in a permanent move to the Sky Blues in 2021. The midfielder remained at Coventry for 145 further matches and nearly captained them to Premier League promotion and an FA Cup final.
During these 145 permanent games, Sheaf scored nine times and contributed ten assists from a holding midfield role. A grand total of 176 matches for the Sky Blues means that Wrexham are purchasing a tremendous leader and experienced asset.
Wrexham have already improved their midfield department this season, particularly with: George Thomason arriving from Bolton Wanderers and Lewis O’Brien being brought in permanently from Nottingham Forest. Josh Windass arrived from Sheffield Wednesday as one of the top transfers in the EFL window. Sheaf is the latest to be added to a promising Red Dragons lineup.
Upon his signature with Wrexham, Sheaf delightedly explained the reasons as to why the Red Dragons earned his services:
“The trajectory the Club is on, I’m excited to be on board with that. From speaking to the manager, and from the ambition of the owners, it’s clear it’s only going one way. I’m looking forward to contributing.
“Change is always good, the move gets me out of my comfort zone – I’ve had some really good moments with Coventry and some memorable times but it’s come to a time to look for something new and something exciting.
“When the opportunity to move to Wrexham came up, it’s something I really wanted to be able to do – I’m excited to get started now.”
Phil Parkinson was exciting to add Sheaf to an already stacked Wrexham lineup:
“I’d like to welcome Ben to the Club. He’s a player with a lot of Championship experience and he will add real quality to the squad.”
The Championship club are also looking at a move for Blackburn Rovers’ Dom Hyam, but have had two bids rejected so far today.
Writer’s View
Sheaf’s injury issues aside, he is one of the top-level midfield performers in the Championship and has been for many seasons. The 27-year-old will be the perfect holding midfielder for Wrexham if he can stay fit, allowing O’Brien to solely offer his creative attributes and worry less about defensive duties. A blended partnership with Ollie Rathbone, for example, could also be struck.
Coventry are losing an important midfielder, but look to have moved on from Sheaf, with excellent recruitment having pre-empted this departure, Frank Lampard’s side have been excelling with Jack Rudoni, Matt Grimes and Victor Torp as their midfield three.
