Despite pocketing a club record transfer fee, the departure of fans’ favourite Anis Mehmeti on deadline day was a significant setback for Wycombe.
Still, the man signed to replace him could soften the blow of losing their star player.
Chem Campbell, recruited on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, is also an exciting prospect and has already made a handful of appearances in the Premier league.
🗣️ "I’m direct, I like to take players on, create chances for the team and for myself, and excite the fans as much as I can."
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) January 31, 2023
Read the thoughts of new loan signing Chem Campbell, who arrived at Marlow Road from Wolves on Monday morning.#Chairboys
At just turned 20, Campbell is younger than Mehmeti and a source close to Wolves told me: ‘He’s very well thought of at Molineux.
READ MORE: Rating each departing player's time at Wycombe out of 10 - Do you agree?
He’s got pace and strength and an eye for goal.
On the occasions he’s played for the first team he’s looked very promising.’
Campbell is set to make his Chairboys debut on Saturday, February 4 at Port Vale where his new ‘gaffer’ - Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth - is a popular figure.
Even though Ainsworth left the club 25 years ago, he remains the most expensive player Vale have ever bought or sold.
He made 55 appearances for the Staffordshire club, and endeared himself to their supporters in his two seasons in what was then League One, the equivalent of today’s Championship.
Coincidentally, Ainsworth made his final league appearance for the Chairboys in a 1-1 draw against Vale at Adams Park in 2013 and was warmly applauded by Valiants supporters on a lap-of-honour at the end.
READ MORE: Update provided on ex-Wycombe player Nnamdi Ofoborh following heart issues
Vale fans had another reason to cheer when they visited Wycombe earlier this season, twice coming from behind to force a 2-2 draw.
It was the eighth time in seventeen meetings the clubs have shared the points with Wycombe winning six games and Vale three.
New Wycombe flag!! Ready for port vale and Accrington Stanley! pic.twitter.com/AnrldAdAod
— 💙Chairboys - North East Division💙 (@ChairboysD) January 28, 2023
A goal by Andy Rammell gave Wanderers victory in their first-ever visit to Vale Park in 2000, and they also triumphed on their last trip to Burslem in 2017 thanks to goals by Adebayo Akinfenwa (2) and Paris Cowan-Hall in a 3-2 win.
READ MORE: Mehmeti on how Wycombe made him 'enjoy and love football' following Bristol City move
Vale’s form has fluctuated since they won promotion to League One last season, but they aren’t far behind Wanderers in the table despite being one of the lowest-scoring teams in the division.
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