Boro has a history of selling major names in recent years, most notably 29-goal hero Chuba Akpom to Ajax in 2023. In the most recent transfer window, Middlesbrough once again traded one of their best players.
Morgan Rogers is now playing for Aston Villa in the Premier League and, more recently, the Champions League as of this week.
Meanwhile, in a record-breaking move in 2024–2025, Middlesbrough permitted Emmanuel Latte Lath to join MLS team Atlanta United.
The loss of the Ivorian was a major blow to Boro’s striker depth, as Kelechi Iheanacho, who took his place after joining on loan from Sevilla, hasn’t exactly impressed.
As a result, the Teessiders will undoubtedly be looking for a striker again when the current season ends.
However, if this season had gone differently, they might not have needed to sign Iheanacho at all.
Josh Coburn needs a chance at Middlesbrough
Upon the arrival of Tommy Conway in the summer of 2024, Michael Carrick opted to allow Josh Coburn to leave the club on loan.
The striker scored one and assisted one in a 3-0 victory over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup for the Reds, but was not really being offered a chance in the league.
Unlike Latte Lath and Conway, Coburn offers more of a physical presence up front and could have been a useful asset to have in 2024/25, especially upon Latte Lath’s exit and when Conway was injured.
When discussing the future of Iheanacho at Middlesbrough this week, transfer expert and Boro supporter Graeme Bailey told us he would like to see Coburn given a chance.
He said: “It is perhaps more interesting to Boro fans to see what happens with Josh Coburn – who is looking very good at Millwall. I, like many Boro fans, would love to see him given a real chance to prove himself.”
However, it appears on the surface that unless Carrick leaves Teesside, Coburn doesn’t have much of a future at the club as he doesn’t really fit the manager’s system.
Michael Carrick Josh Cobrun decision could cost Middlesbrough
Coburn being loaned out has, for the most part, looked like an unwise move on Carrick’s part.
Even if he’s not exactly the type of striker the ex-midfielder wants, having a plan B is always useful.
More concerningly, Coburn has been excellent for Millwall, who are now in contention to take a play-off place away from Middlesbrough.
The 22-year-old scored the only goal of the game in a major 1-0 victory over Sheffield United this month.
He did the same versus Derby County in February and netted a key strike against Watford in a 2-1 win in March.
