Boss willing to give youngster a chance
MARTIN Payero appears keen to save his Middlesbrough career this summer amid reports linking him with a return to Argentina.
The young midfielder had a difficult first season as Boro as he struggled to adapt to the physical demands of the English league.
But amid speculation of a move to Argentina, the 23-year-old has said he has held no talks about a Boro exit, and spoke of his preference to stay in Europe and focus on breaking into the Middlesbrough team.
The door is open for him to do so too, but he has a big pre-season ahead if he is to convince manager Chris Wilder.
Payero didn’t have it easy in his first season on Teesside. Injuries occurred too often as he struggled with the demands of the Championship, and while there were flashes of the quality he possesses, he will have to do so much more if he is to find himself part of Wilder’s plans next season.
Right now, he remains a Boro player until the club decide they’ve received an acceptable offer for the player they signed with so much promise last year.
Boro fans were excited by his acquisition and are desperate to see him do well, but in Wilder, Boro have a demanding manager who is setting huge standards on Teesside and Payero has to raise his game if he’s to convince the Boro boss.
The onus is on the young Argentine to do that, and he should get an opportunity to impress in pre-season, with a busy schedule of summer friendlies ahead in which he can show what he can do.
And the good news for him is that, while Wilder might not be overly convinced yet, there are countless examples of players proving Wilder wrong and turning their careers around when they looked as good as buried under the ruthless Boro boss.
At Sheffield United Paul Coutts and Kieron Freeman were both transfer-listed when he first arrived at the club in 2016 but worked hard and instead of leaving, became key players for Wilder at Bramall Lane as they rose from League One to the Premier League.
Perhaps the biggest inspiration for Payero though is a Wilder favourite who he looked to bring to Boro in January.
John Lundstram initially struggled after joining Sheffield United and was doing so in the early parts of last season at Rangers too.
As Wilder considered a January move for his former midfield mainstay, it clicked for Lundstram at Ibrox and he would play a hugely influential role in their run to the Europa League final.
Similarly at Sheffield United, Lundstram struggled to get going at Bramall Lane and made just 10 appearances in the promotionwining season, only half of which were starts. In the January of that season he almost signed for Sunderland in League One on loan, only for Jack Ross to opt in favour of bringing Grant Leadbitter back to Wearside from Boro instead.
It proved a sliding door moment for Lundstram who returned that summer after promotion to the Premier League determined to earn his place.
A slight tweak to the dynamics in midfield helped, but ultimately Lundstram’s hard work and determination saw him stay at Sheffield United and become a key player in Wilder’s side that finished ninth in the top flight, making 34 appearances, scoring five and netting three more.
From almost dropping to League One, Lundstram became a Premier League regular.
There are slight differences between Lundstram and Payero of course, the main one being that Payero’s issues have been around settling in a new league and country.
Nevertheless, if Payero needs any inspiration that his Boro career can be saved this summer then he need look no further than Lundstram, and Coutts and Freeman too.
Chances must be earned not given by reputation or popularity with a fanbase.
Wilder can be ruthless if you’re not up to it, regardless of what others might think.
But all three Blades players proved that if you’re prepared to work hard and prove yourself, Wilder is willing to give you a chance.
There are countless examples of players proving Wilder wrong and turning their
careers around ...