Wrexham are currently looking to improve their squad ahead of their first campaign in the second tier for 43 years.
The Red Dragons are reportedly interested in signing defender Craig Dawson. Phil Parkinson’s side face competition to sign the 35 year old as Derby County are also rumoured to be interested in the defender.
Who is Craig Dawson?
After starting his footballing career in non-league with Radcliffe Borough, Dawson joined his home-town club, Rochdale, in 2009. After winning promotion with Dale from League Two and an impressive campaign in League One, the defender joined West Bromwich Albion in 2011.
Despite loan spells back at Rochdale and with Bolton Wanderers, Dawson went on to make over 200 appearances for the Baggies during a nine year spell. Since leaving West Brom, the 35 year old has played in the Premier League for Watford, West Ham United and most recently Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite failing to make an appearance for the senior England side, Dawson did make three appearances and score for the Great Britain Olympic football team at the 2012 Olympic games. With his contract at Molineux coming to an end, the defender is keen to keep on playing and is subject to interest from Wrexham and Derby ahead of the 2025-26 season.
What could Craig Dawson bring to Wrexham or Derby County?
Dawson had made over 300 appearances for various clubs at Premier League level and represented West Ham in the UEFA Europa League and Conference League. It is this experience that will be the key reason in Wrexham and Derby’s pursuit of the defender.
His leadership will undoubtedly bring a big benefit to either side as they look to establish themselves at Championship level. Dawson has worn the captain’s armband for Wolves on several occasions so would bring an element of leadership alongside his experience as well.
Looking at the statistics from his 15 Premier League appearances last season, there are a few attributes alongside his experience that could benefit both clubs. The 35 year old was one of the best in the division for accurate long balls with an average of 4.09 per 90 minutes.
This would suit both sides with Derby having the eighth highest long ball accuracy in the second tier last season at 22.6 long balls per match and Wrexham ranking third in League One with 30.7 accurate long balls on average. This would allow both sides to transition from attack to defence quickly when under defensive pressure next season.
On top of this, Dawson has the ability to bring aerial presence to a defence. Last season, the 35 year old won 65.6% of aerial duels contested.
This attribute will be a benefit to both Wrexham’s and Derby’s attacks having been a significant threat from set pieces last season. Derby scored the most set piece goals in the second tier last season with 22 and Wrexham scored the sixth highest in League One with 20.
Would Craig Dawson be a good signing?
There is undoubtedly one main reason why both Derby and Wrexham are looking to sign Dawson and that is because of his experience. The North Wales side had the second highest average squad age last season with 28.4 years so signing Dawson would fit their recruitment strategy.
Derby manager John Eustace is also in favour of signing experienced professionals, having reportedly been interested in Blackburn Rovers’ Danny Batth this summer. From this point of view, the signing of Dawson would be a good one for both sides.
However, the defender is likely to demand significant wages having been playing in the Premier League for the last six years. This may well be the deciding factor as to whether the signing is a good one for either side.
Dawson would be a good addition to a defence should he stay match fit and be willing to take a reduction in wages. However, both clubs will likely need to have a good level of options to play alongside him given the physical pressures of a 46 game Championship season.