ANEL’S DONE HIS HOMEWORK
AN FA Cup tie at the home of a Non-League upstart would normally be a step into the unknown for someone at the business end of the Championship.
But not Sheffield United’s rampaging centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, who will recognise plenty of Wrexham’s world-famous players when the two sides meet at the Racecourse this afternoon.
The National League Dragons are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose takeover in September 2020 has been chronicled in the Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham.
Ahmedhodzic is one of the many converts. The 23-yearold kicked off a nightly binge when the draw for the fourth round was made, which is why this afternoon’s televised showdown will hold few surprises.
“Don’t worry, I know all about Wrexham,” says the Swedish-born Bosnia international, who joined the Blades from Malmo in the summer.
“I had actually heard of them before I came to the UK, but I know a lot more now thanks to Disney+. It’s a good show. I haven’t actually finished yet but I’ve watched a lot of episodes and I’m really enjoying it.
“For Wrexham, the exposure is great. It shows the way people really work, the way football really is. And it shows the players as human beings, not just footballers. Also, it helps that Ryan Reynolds is one of my favourite actors!”
Deadpool star Reynolds has a net worth north of $150m. McElhenney, the creator of
long-running sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, isn’t far behind.
As a result, Wrexham are far from your common-or-garden Non-League outfit, possessing an experienced manager in Phil Parkinson who has collected plenty of cup scalps, and a highly-paid team poached largely from the EFL.
Striker Paul Mullin won the League Two golden boot with Cambridge in 2019-20 whilst Elliot Lee and Mark Howard have both won promotion to the Championship.
A vast number of Wrexham’s starting XI boast League One experience and that quality was evident as Championship Coventry were eliminated 4-3 in the last round.
“That shows they’re not bad, right?” says Ahmedhodzic. “The players they have are way too good for Non-League, so we have to be aware.”