**Concerns Raised Over Paul Mullin’s Wrexham Future as Club Prepares for Championship Challenge**
As Wrexham AFC gears up for an historic campaign in the Championship, following their remarkable run of three consecutive promotions, questions are mounting about the future of one of their most popular stars. Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose ownership of the North Wales club has sparked international interest and rejuvenated fortunes, now face the prospect of a shake-up in the squad as Wrexham step into English football’s second tier.
Paul Mullin, a striker instrumental in the club’s recent successes and a fan favourite, finds his position under particular scrutiny. Despite notching an impressive tally of 110 goals in previous seasons, the 30-year-old endured a challenging spell last term. Following the mid-season arrival of forwards Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez, Mullin saw his on-pitch opportunities limited and scored just three times in the league.
This development prompted former Wrexham manager Dean Saunders to weigh in with a sober assessment of Mullin’s prospects. Saunders, who also enjoyed spells with Liverpool and Aston Villa, said he believes Mullin has the talent to compete in the Championship but cautioned that the transition will not be straightforward. “I absolutely think Paul Mullin could score goals in the Championship,” Saunders remarked, noting that Mullin has distinguished himself as a consistent scorer throughout the leagues.
Yet, Saunders was clear that stepping up a division would require more from the forward. “The quality of opposition defenders improves as you go higher up the leagues, so Mullin will need to be sharper and apply himself even more. It’s all about speed of thought at that level,” Saunders explained, suggesting that hard work and adaptability would be essential components for Mullin’s success in the new campaign.
This warning comes at a time when optimism is otherwise high at the Racecourse Ground. The global profile of Wrexham has soared, in no small part because of the Disney+ series “Welcome to Wrexham,” which has brought the club’s journey and impassioned fanbase to an international audience. In the wake of recent triumphs, Reynolds and McElhenney have reiterated their bold aim: guiding Wrexham all the way to the Premier League.
Saunders himself believes that target, while ambitious, is not out of reach. Reflecting on his time with the club, he said, “Wrexham is a fantastic club with incredible support. Climbing out of the Championship, however, represents a significant hurdle. Every year, strong sides are relegated from the Premier League and enter the mix armed with parachute payments and quality players.”
The financial backing and vision of Reynolds and McElhenney do offer Wrexham a fighting chance, according to Saunders. “With the resources they have and if they make the right investments, Wrexham could well be pressing at the top end of the table. Even a spot in the playoffs could give them a shot at promotion, which is always a lottery.”
For now, much of the focus remains on how the squad will need to adapt to ensure success at this level. The step up to the Championship will demand not just technical solidity but also mental resilience, as players face tougher opponents and heightened expectations. Mullin’s situation exemplifies the kind of challenge facing previously key figures, many of whom will be asked to prove themselves all over again.
Should Wrexham manage another promotion in the coming seasons, they would mark a return for a Welsh club to the Premier League — a prospect Saunders admits he would relish given his own connections. “Having Wrexham in the Premier League would be a source of pride for the country and I, for one, would not bet against it happening,” he concluded.
While the future for Paul Mullin and his teammates remains to be seen, what is clear is that the club’s journey is far from over. All eyes will be on how Reynolds, McElhenney, and manager Phil Parkinson shape their squad in the months ahead, as Wrexham prepare for yet another defining chapter in their modern fairytale.