Football News: Middlesbrough Transfer Round Up

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Once again Middlesbrough's Steve Gibson has proven himself to be among the best chairpeople in the world of football. He has always been willing to reach into his own pocket to subsidise the club, this summer has seen him do so once again, but what makes him such an excellent chairman is his support of his managers. When some thought Aitor Karanka should have done better last season, and gained promotion, Gibson stood beside him and chose to invest in strengthening the squad.

This season Karanka will have no excuses if he fails to achieve promotion, a promotion that should really have been achieved last season. He has been extensively backed in the transfer market to build a squad capable of winning the Championship, let alone promotion. The only worry is that failure could have serious FFP consequences, which will hamper any future attempts to return to the riches of the Premier League.

First off, I would like to look at who was moved on from the club, before moving on to the exciting stuff, the big signings. There were a few surprise transfers, even in terms of outs, involving Boro this summer, even without the local smog, it would have been difficult to see some of them coming. This coming season will be a make or break one for Karanka.

Lee Tomlin moved to Premier League new boys Bournemouth in probably the biggest out of the summer. On his day capable of brilliance, but far too often he was being carried by the team, so maybe the big surprise is that it was the Prem he went to. I am not so sure Eddie Howe has got this one right, Tomlin flatters to deceive far more often than he should for my liking. I have a feeling he may well get found out in the Premier League.

James Husband was sent on a short term loan deal to Fulham for a month. At his age the regular football should aid his development, but it is a worry that a player signed last summer is already surplus at the club. If it is just a one off, then it is understandable, but it can indicate a lack of foresight and forward planning if it happens regularly.

Ryan Brobbel, Kieran Weledji and James Warnett were all released and the trio have yet to find new clubs to take them on. It is a major fall from grace for Brobbel, who was once highly thought of and seen as a potential future first team player.

Emanuel Ledesma left on a free to join Rotherham United. At 27 he is at his peak, yet was surplus to requirements, so it makes sense to let him go.

Mustapha Carayol has left on loan to Huddersfield Town. He was far too inconsistent for my liking, though I am sure the club would have much preferred to recoup some funds by selling him.

David Atkinson has moved to Carlisle United on a free.

Dean Whitehead has moved on a permanent deal to Huddersfield Town, at 33 he was well past his best. Even his best was not really good enough for a team intending to win promotion and then stay in the Prem.

Bryn Morris has joined Coventry City on loan.

Jonathon Burn has gone to Oldham Athletic on loan.

Luke Williams has moved to Scunthorpe United on a permanent deal. The forward was never likely to break into the first team at Boro, so he needed to move for his own career.

Connor Ripley has moved to Motherwell on loan.

Incoming is where all the excitement was, with the club rebuilding a squad which saw a number of players leave at the end of their loan spells, leaving a weakened team behind. Karanka needed to replace the likes of Patrick Bamford to give Boro a good chance of returning to the promised land of milk and honey (or lots of money).

Stewart Downing was the big signing of the summer for Middlesbrough. The return of the local hero, who returns not as a fading star with his tail between his legs after struggling at the top level, but as a thirty year old with a few more years at his peak having just played one of the best seasons of his life for West Ham United. There is a lot of expectation on his shoulders which, in the past, he seemed to struggle with, so Karanka will have to work hard to get the best out of him.

David Nugent is also dropping down from a Prem team, this time Leicester City, but as a fringe player looking for regular football. At Championship level he is a provent goalscorer and should be an able replacement for Bamford.

Christian Stuani is, in my opinion, the signing that has the most potential to make a difference amongst them all. The Uruguayan front man arrives from Espanyol with an excellent reputation as a solid professional.

Fernando Amorebieta has returned for another loan from Fulham, the temperamental Venezuelan needs to learn to calm his temper. His ability to cover left back can be valuable, though his ability to make senseless decisions often overrides that.

Diego Fabbrini has arrived on loan from newly promoted Watford to offer even more options in the forward areas. Karanka has an embarrassment of riches in the attacking areas now.

Carlos De La Pena joins fellow Uruguayan Stuani, this time arriving from his homeland club of Nacional. I know little about the left midfielder, but that can give him an edge in the early part of the season against defenders who will not know him either.

Michael Agazzi has arrived on loan from AC Milan, and the 31 year old goalkeeper will hope to have a better start to the season than Boro's keepers did last year.

Jack Stephens has come in on loan from Southampton, the centre back being a product of their excellent youth academy.

Tomas Kalas is the latest Chelsea youngster to join Boro for a loan spell, the centre back having made a few impressive appearances in the Premier League for the West London side in previous seasons. He could well be the building block for a Championship winning defence.

Alex Baptiste has arrived from Bolton Wanderers. At his best he looked very comfortable while playing for Blackpool in the Premier League. Karanka will be hoping to return him to the form he showed as part of that Ian Holloway team.

In conclusion, the transfers done this summer look good, inspired even, and hold out every hope of making a team that romps to the Championship title. The problem is that there has been such a turnover in the team that it could be disruptive and the side could struggle to get going until it is too late. Also it is difficult not to notice the lack of any real midfield strengthening, when the midfield was a weak link most of last season.

There seems to be a real shortage of quality in central midfield, probably the most important part of a team, that has to be a major worry. Is Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter the foundation of a top class side? Personally I do not think so, they will need the rest of the team to step up and cover for their deficiencies over the course of the season. On paper though, this is a squad that has the potential to win the Championship, it is now up to Aitor to get the most from them.

Written by Tris Burke September 02 2015 14:16:45