Seven big decisions facing Boro ahead of ambitious quest
MIDDLESBROUGH are planning an ambitious attack on Championship promotion next season, with head coach Michael Carrick absolutely clear about his desire to challenge next season.
This term ultimately proved a challenging one for Boro for multiple reasons, but there were plenty of positives to take from it – namely the growth of the players, both individually and collectively, having come through the various experiences they had to over the course of the campaign.
While squad continuation is a big factor for Boro heading into next season after last summer’s huge overhaul, they are still looking to do some transfer business this summer as they look to add to the solid foundations put in place over the last 12 months.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing that the Boro recruitment chiefs won’t have when making these decisions, but we highlight seven big decisions they could have to make this summer that could end up defining whether next season does go as hoped or not.
Goalkeeper dilemma
Seny Dieng established himself as a solid first choice last season while Tom Glover proved a more than capable deputy. However, in what appeared the work of agents on both occasions, the duo were each linked with summer moves before the end of the season.
It coincides with a summer in which academy goalkeepers Zach Hemming, 24, and Sol Brynn, 23, return from successful loan spells determined to prove their worth and fight for a place next season. Either or both could be the future for Boro, but the question is, are they ready now? And if not, are they happy heading out on loan again?
The decisions Boro have to make this summer with regard to how their goalkeeper department will look next season might not only have implications on their potential success next season, but also the longer term too.
Defensive cover
Boro are likely to add Luke Ayling on a free this summer when his Leeds United contract expires at the end of June. But Paddy McNair has already announced his departure on a free, while Anfernee Dijksteel is likely to move on too.
An ideal squad would consist of two options per position and even without the two aforementioned exiteers, Boro would have that. The trouble is, there will be mental scarring around the injury crisis they’ve had this season, with Tommy Smith and Darragh Lenihan both returning from long-term injuries and therefore carrying a little uncertainty as to the level they’ll be able to return at.
That could tempt Boro into signing a couple of young prospects for right-back and centre-back, if funds allow, with no real sign of any academy products being close enough in any position to provide that backup at this stage.
James Wilson, 17, made his debut on the final day of the season but is expected to be back around the academy sides to continue his development next season.
Left-back stick or twist
Boro signed two left-backs last summer for what was such a key position in Carrick’s first year thanks to the excellence of loanee Ryan Giles. It’s fair to say neither Lukas Engel nor Alex Bangura lived up to those levels, however.
In the case of Engel, he showed immense strength of character to recover from a torrid start at the club to establish himself as a steady eddy on the left side of defence. But he lacked the attacking prowess of Giles or Bangura.
The Sierra Leone international showed flashes that he could be a like-for-like Giles replacement but unfortunately struggled to stay fit for much of the campaign.
It gives Boro a dilemma this summer. The ideal model dictates they show faith in the pair to grow from their first year in England and both make improvements next season. However, given the emphasis of the role in the ideal way Carrick wants to play, might there be temptation to try and offload one and bring in more proven quality?
Midfield mould
Boro have made the decision not to pursue a permanent deal for Lewis O’Brien this summer after his loan spell from Nottingham Forest. While he did well once returning from a long-term injury, the feeling is that Boro will seek a different kind of midfielder this summer.
The big question, however, is what the mould of that midfielder will be. Carrick’s side did at times struggle with a balance in the side last season that stemmed largely from a midfield that were too easy to bypass when Boro gave away position and