I’ve watched Barry Bannan play 100 times Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson should be desperate to sign him.
Sheffield Wednesday hero Barry Bannan could be on the move this summer, after 10 years at Hillsborough. And the Scot could end up at Wrexham.
Sheffield Wednesday are in a mess. The club is under a registration embargo and some stern transfer restrictions, which means that club legend and skipper Barry Bannan could finally leave the club after a decade.
The 35-year-old is out of contract this summer. Wrexham have been linked with a move for Bannan although a move to the Racecourse may not come about for a few more weeks yet.
It’s understood that Bannan is open to staying at Sheffield Wednesday beyond this season, and despite the chaos going on at the club. But with the club’s situation only getting more complicated, it could mean that Bannan has to move on in the coming weeks.
So what do Wrexham fans need to know about Bannan? As a former Sheffield Wednesday season ticket holder, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the midfield magician in action well over 100 times in the past…
READ MORE: Wrexham now in four-club race to sign Championship legend on a free transfer this summer
Barry Bannan celebrates with Sheffield Wednesday teammates against Stoke City.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Barry Bannan is the Championship Andres Iniesta
Quick on his feet, intricate with his passing, and a real dictator of play in the midfield: Bannan shares a lot of the same traits as former Barcelona and Spain maestro Andres Iniesta. Bannan even earned comparisons to Iniesta earlier on in his career when playing at Aston Villa.
Then boss Gerard Houllier said of academy man Bannan: “I had players at other clubs who were the same size and had wonderful careers. The top-level is about skill, intelligence and desire. He is an intelligent player, he can read the game well and adapt well. I don’t think Xavi and Iniesta, who are outstanding players, are of huge size.
“They are intelligent, they have the skill, they have the desire – young Barry has all of that. The Premier League has got more physical but it is not about a matter of size.”
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When you see Bannan playing live in the flesh, you get to see just how much say he has over the tempo of games. As soon as he gets on the ball, the game seems to open up in front of him.
For some of Wrexham’s other midfield players, like the club’s 2024/25 Player of the Season Ollie Rathbone, George Dobson, even Max Cleworth given his style of play, having the chance to play alongside Bannan could really help to improve their own games.
Barry Bannan’s stats in the Championship in 2024/25
Despite being 35 years old, Bannan is still going strong. He shone yet again for Sheffield Wednesday last season scoring four goals and claiming five assists in 41 league appearances.
What’s also incredible about Bannan is that he seems almost immune to injury. He’s made a total of 447 appearances for the Owls, scoring 34 goals and assisting 72, and in the last seven seasons he’s only missed 20 league games for the club.
Bannan seems to be defying age. Not only is he almost always available, but he still has the energy to boss the midfield. He’s everywhere constantly, picking up loose balls, running into space to pick up a pass, looking as though he’s still a player in his 20s.
READ MORE: Wrexham striker target has ‘agreed a deal’ with Championship rivals ahead of next season, ‘straight loan…’
Stat (league) Bannan in 2024/25
Touches-per-game 64.8
Big chances created 8
Key passes PG 1.8
Passes PG 41.2
Pass % 82%
Passes in own half PG 18.5
Passes in opp. half PG 23.7
Long balls PG 3.9
Recoveries PG 5.2
Why Barry Bannan is absolutely perfect for Wrexham.
It’s hard to put into words the effect that Bannan has on matches. Watching him on TV or simply looking at his stats doesn’t do him credit. You need to be there in person, and you need to see a Sheffield Wednesday side without Bannan, to know just how much influence he has on games.
For Wrexham, he ticks a lot of boxes. Phil Parkinson is desperate to sign experienced players this summer and Bannan is exactly that, especially so in the Championship 374 total appearances in the second tier to his name.
On top of his quality and his fitness levels being through the roof, Bannan is a true leader. He’s the epitome of loyal and the definition of leader. From the way his teammates talk about him, you can see just how much respect he’s garnered both on and off the pitch at Sheffield Wednesday, and the Wrexham players should be greatly excited about the idea of playing alongside Bannan.
Wrexham are linked with several midfielders right now, Parkinson needs a lynchpin in the middle of the park. And Bannan, for all the hate he gets across the Football League, would be an incredible signing on a free transfer
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