Ex-Wales international makes Wrexham, Premier League claim - It “should have happened to Cardiff City” | OneFootball

Nathan Blake feels that the new investment at Wrexham could see them become an established top-six Premier League side

Former Welsh international and Cardiff City striker Nathan Blake has predicted that the new investment into Wrexham from Apollo Sports Capital will see them reach heights that the Bluebirds should have been targeting in the past.

The Red Dragons announced on Monday that the US-based sports investment firm had become a minority stakeholder in the Championship side, providing funding towards the redevelopment of the Stok Cae Ras, including the new Kop stand.

While the exact share hasn't been confirmed as yet, it is believed, according to Wales Online, that they have taken a share of just under ten per cent, based on an overall club valuation of £350 million.

The boost in investment will help Wrexham achieve its goal of becoming a Premier League side, and Blake believes that this will not only aid in that endeavour but also eventually see them challenge for a place in the top six of the top flight.

Nathan Blake makes bold Wrexham, Premier League claim

Speaking on the Rob and Blakey's Commentary Box podcast, Nathan Blake, who made 164 appearances for Cardiff at the start of his career, labelled the new investment at Wrexham as "music to the ears" of their fans.

However, he feels that this sort of ambition should have been seen at the Cardiff City Stadium when the Bluebirds were promoted back to the top flight for the first time in 52 years back in 2013.

Both of Cardiff's forays into the Premier League in the past 12 years have ended in immediate relegation, but Blake doesn't believe that the same will happen in North Wales as and when that promotion comes.

"What is happening at Wrexham is what should have happened at Cardiff," he said.

"They will go on to the Premier League and become an established team, not a yo-yo club.

"They will go from here, get to the Premier League, establish themselves and settle, then it will be 'right, now we're going to challenge for that top six,' and that should be the ethos for any club.

"It's music to your ears if you're a fan. A lot of people would have predicted it would blow up in Wrexham's face with Hollywood owners. I knew after a year that it'd be a bit different."

Indeed, the co-ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney) has been unlike any other celebrity involvement in a football team, and this journey from the National League to the Championship has been one which they've been fully invested in.

Now they're close to achieving their goals of being a Premier League side, and they're doing it the right way by finding outside investment to help build the value of the club.

The fact that they're open to selling minority shares, but not selling full ownership, also reaffirms their position and their faith in being behind Wrexham for the foreseeable future.

Cardiff City will be looking on in vain at Wrexham, despite League One success

Things are looking up for Cardiff right now, with the Bluebirds looking strong atop League One, being led by several young Welsh stars such as Rubin Colwill, Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor and playing attractive football under Brian Barry-Murphy.

They were even able to get one over Wrexham in the EFL Cup earlier this season, with their 2-1 advance in North Wales teeing up next week's quarter-final home clash against Premier League giants Chelsea.

However, there will be some feeling among Bluebirds fans that the struggle for who is the best Welsh side playing in the EFL is slipping through their grasp as Wrexham continue its rapid ascent.

That's especially given that Cardiff have had the opportunity to invest properly and establish themselves in the top flight on two occasions in the past, only to fall at the first hurdle.

There is a school of thought, both inside the Welsh capital and beyond, that Cardiff are a sleeping giant of sorts.

As a capital city club with a sizeable stadium and fanbase, along with many surrounding catchment areas of potential support to tap into, the raw potential is there for Cardiff to become successful at the highest level — no shortage of much smaller clubs have done exactly that, although the Bluebirds' inability to do so lies at their door.

Ultimately, the money behind Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, plus their fame in the entertainment industry, has given them a head start monetarily. But the way that they've gone about their business as co-owners of the club has gone from strength to strength, showing that they'll be in the best position to establish themselves in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

Cardiff may be on their way back to the Championship, and they may be well-suited to make another crack at the Premier League when they get there. But they'll have a long way to go to wrestle the moniker of 'best team in Wales' away from the Red Dragons.