Following their heartbreaking Championship play-off loss the previous year, Middlesbrough were given the task of trying again under Michael Carrick’s leadership this season. They took a long time to get going and even flirted with the relegation zone during their disastrous first half of the season, but they haven’t been able to replicate their previous success thus far. Although Carrick’s team has battled back to move within three points of the top six, they are currently headed for even more disappointment.
However, there is still hope that things will completely change in the January transfer window. According to reports, those at Riverside Stadium are considering making a move to sign a Premier League player who could assist in solving Middlesbrough’s issues.
Middlesbrough transfer news
Given that they lost Chuba Akpom to a significant move to Ajax, Middlesbrough was always going to struggle to get off to a strong start during the summer transfer window. Akpom’s 28 Championship goals in a stellar season propelled his team into the play-offs, demonstrating the impact he had on the team.
Carrick was unable to replace those goals, as Latte Lath, Middlesbrough’s top scorer thus far in the season, has only managed six goals in 16 games. However, Boro are reportedly concentrating on defensive reinforcements, possibly cognizant of how challenging it will be to duplicate Akpom’s output.
The Sunderland Echo reports that Middlesbrough is considering making a move for Joe Worrall. The defender for Nottingham Forest, who hasn’t been a regular starter for Steve Cooper’s team in the Premier League this year, might be given the opportunity to play a significant amount of minutes in a step-down to the Championship. If Middlesbrough moves forward and signs a deal, Worrall could undoubtedly become a valuable asset for Carrick given his experience of successfully advancing from England’s second tier.
“Tremendous” Worrall could be key for Middlesbrough promotion
It would be an understatement to say that Middlesbrough would gain from having a Premier League captain join the team. The Championship team needs to use the January transfer window to close the gap as they are currently too far from the play-off spots. Worrall’s statistics demonstrate that he has more than proven to be a reliable starter for Forest in the Premier League this year. He is distinct from Boro center-back Paddy McNair as well.
| Player | Blocks Per 90 | Tackles Won Per 90 | Interceptions Per 90 | Clearances Per 90 |
| Joe Worrall | 1.02 | 1.02 | 0.61 | 5.51 |
| Paddy McNair | 0.89 | 0.37 | 0.52
|
2.15 |
Cooper, who gave the defender the captain’s armband after praising Worrall at his best, said the following via The Nottingham Post:
Joe is an amazing young man who perfectly embodies the values and ideals we want to establish at the club. Joe has earned the respect of his teammates ever since I entered the building, and his on-field exploits are a source of motivation for everyone around him because they exhibit drive, leadership, and quality. Ahead of what promises to be an exciting season for the team, I’m excited to watch him develop and thrive in his new position.
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