Centre-back priority for big league return
SEVEN days before Middlesbrough make their return to the Premier League – after an exile of as many years – Aitor Karanka admitted he was anxious to land a centre-back and ease his defensive worries.
A busy summer at the Riverside has witnessed no fewer than nine signings at a relatively modest outlay of close to £20 million. But boss Karanka is not finished in the transfer market and his priority now is signing a rearguard lynchpin in time for the season’s opener at home to Stoke.
That’s because Daniel Ayala, who, on the eve of this game, penned a new contract to 2020, is out with an ankle injury, and Colombian new boy Bernardo Espinosa – a free-transfer arrival from Sporting Gijon – is still short of fitness after a long-term knee problem.
Boro have had an improved £5m bid turned down by Hull for Harry Maguire but, even if they are ultimately successful in that pursuit, it won’t alleviate their concerns at the back as he, too, has ankle trouble. Karanka may have to rely on Spanish right-back Antonio Barragan, a £3 million capture from Valencia, who yesterday filled in impressively at the heart of defence.
But Karanka insisted: “I don’t care – the main thing is we need a centre-back. We are working on that and I hope we can bring that player in as soon as possible. But, until he is here, we have others who can play there.
“Getting signings in early has been perfect because I’ve been able to work on a lot of things. They’ve played a similar number of minutes and I’ve had a good month to gel everything.
“Of course, I’m excited about the start of the season – there’s such a big difference since I arrived here nearly three years ago.’’
Five of Boro’s new recruits – Barragan, goalkeeper Victor Valdes, midfielder Marten De Roon, winger Viktor Fischer and striker Alvaro Negredo – made their home debuts.
There was no let-up for Sociedad, who drew 1-1 at Burnley on Friday night, and they threatened first with an Inigo Martinez freekick but it was always too high.
Gaston Ramirez, who has joined Boro on a permanent deal after being on loan from Southampton last season, came much closer with a 25-yard strike that dipped just over. The Uruguay playmaker then tested Tono Ramirez with a free-kick that the keeper punched away.
Ramirez was influential for Boro but, when he attempted to release Negredo, the former Manchester City forward’s first touch let him down badly.
Negredo headed over and pulled a shot wide after the break before Ramirez unleashed a blistering blast that his namesake saved well at his near post.
But the chance of the match fell late on to Real’s ex-Southampton forward Juanmi, who somehow turned the ball over from in front of goal.
Boro striker David Nugent was then denied at point-blank range by keeper Ramirez and, in the dying moments, fellow-sub Cristhian Stuani got his head to Albert Adomah’s centre but couldn’t direct the ball goalward.