Wrexham AFC should eye £45k-a-week Cardiff City ace this summer - He surely won’t stay in League One | OneFootball

Calum Chambers may represent a good signing for Wrexham in the summer.

Wrexham AFC made it three successive promotions on Saturday evening as a 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic took them to history.

Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the club in September 2020, it has been on an upward trajectory, with Phil Parkinson playing a key role throughout. Appointed in 2021, Parkinson’s first season may not have ended in promotion, but the three campaigns that followed saw the club finish 1st, 2nd, and 2nd once again, propelling them to the lofty heights of the Championship.

For many, this campaign was seen as their first true test, and they have passed it with flying colours, holding off Wycombe Wanderers and a late surge from the Addicks to secure their place in the second tier.

However, those at the club will be well aware of the task that lies before them, with the Championship possibly providing the test that slows down their progress.

We will likely see a big overhaul in the summer and Parkinson, alongside his recruitment team, will have to determine those who can meet the demands of the Championship. The head coach has already admitted he will have his "eye on players available on free transfers", although signings involving transfer fees are also an option for the club, given their financial strength.

One player who could be targeted is Calum Chambers, and with Cardiff City having just been relegated, the Red Dragons are in a strong position to pursue his signature.

Cardiff City's Calum Chambers would be an ideal summer signing for Wrexham

Chambers is a name that will be familiar to football fans across England, having earned three caps for the national team, spent over eight years at Arsenal, and enjoyed a more recent two-year spell with Aston Villa.

He has always been a dependable defender despite his injuries and in the summer he made the move to Cardiff following his contract termination at Villa Park.

In truth, while the Bluebirds' season ultimately ended in relegation, Chambers was one of the few consistent performers in the side, with his displays in both midfield and central defence catching the eye.

This, partnered with his previous spells in the Premier League, surely won't see him drop down to the third tier and Wrexham would be well set to offer Chambers a deal at the Stok Cae Ras. Indeed, Chambers, who is estimated by Capology to be earning a weekly wage of £45,000 in the Welsh capital, has just spent only the first season of his career below the Premier League at the age of 30.

He's hardly going to earn a move back to the top-flight anytime soon, but he is one of a number of established and high-profile Cardiff players who will surely intend on trying to remain in the Championship, and his pedigree means he aligns with Wrexham's recruitment strategy of signing big names.

The club have previously shown a knack for adding high-profile experience to their squad with the likes of James McClean, Jay Rodriguez and Matty James, and Chambers could well be the next name to join that list.

Calum Chambers' experience would make him a solid addition for Wrexham

With over 200 appearances across England’s top two divisions and experience of playing at the highest level, Chambers would represent another seasoned addition to the Wrexham squad. Beyond that, he has enjoyed a strong season at Cardiff, and his statistics suggest he could prove to be an excellent signing.

As previously mentioned, Chambers offers an option in both defence and midfield, which would suit Parkinson, who favours a back three and a midfield three. Beyond that, his statistics are impressive, with the defender ranking in the top 5% for tackles won, interceptions, and recoveries.

As you would expect from a player capable of operating in multiple positions, he is also comfortable on the ball, with his 1,670 passes and 101 accurate long balls standing as testament to that.

For Chambers, it would prove an exciting prospect to join a club on the rise such as Wrexham. The Red Dragons have just secured three successive promotions and while a fourth will prove difficult, this sort of signing could propel them into the upper echelons of the second tier.