- Ben Strickland
Talking Transfers - 10 Players Middlesbrough Could Target This Summer.
With potentially just 15 first team players left at the club come the end of the season, there is a big job on the hands of the Middlesbrough hierarchy if we are to achieve a legitimate promotion push next season. Here are 10 players I’d hope are of the similar ilk to those we are scouting behind the scenes:
Keinan Davis
Age – 23
Position – Striker Club – Aston Villa Game time has been limited for Davis, with only brief cameo appearances off the bench this season for Villa. The 6ft 2 striker would surely tick some of the boxes in Warnock’s search for a target man type player. Though Davis is also good on the ball. A loan move would suit the short-term vision but Keinan’s versatility would be an asset should we go in with a permanent transfer. Strengths/Style according to WhoScored
Dribbling
Passing
Key Passing
Omar Marmoush
Age 22
Position – Striker/Winger Club – St Pauli (on loan from Wolfsburg) If this season has shown Warnock or fans alike anything, it is that we cannot rely on our strikers to score consistently in our current set up. A Marmoush type signing would certainly excite, if played as an inside forward he could be the wide pivot as well as a good contributor to the goals; much like Taraabt was in Warnock’s QPR side. He has 6 goals and 3 assists for St Pauli this season. Strengths/Styles according to WhoScored
Dribbling
Through Balls
Long Shots
Nathaneal Ogbeta
Age – 19 Position – Left back/Left Midfield. Club – Shrewsbury
Nathaneal only just joined Shrewsbury in January on a transfer from Man City and already has 2 goals and 2 assists to his name. Should Marvin Johnson leave Boro then Ogbeta would be a fitting replacement as a defensive winger. As well as cover for Marc Bola should he get injured. He is out of contract at the end of next summer and Shrewsbury could be tempted to sell if the right offer comes in. Strengths/Styles according to WhoScored
Dribbling
Likes to play short passes.
Tackling
Josh Sims
Age – 24
Position – Winger Club – Doncaster (on loan from Southampton) Out of contract at Southampton in the summer, he is a risk-free signing. Registered 9 assists and 1 goal for Doncaster this season. He is a player with bags of pace and is the exact sort of winger we need in the summer. Strengths/Styles according to WhoScored
Defensive Contribution
Taking Set-Pieces
Passing
Key Passes
Dan N’Lundulu
Age: 22 Position – Striker
Club – Southampton
Has only had brief cameo appearances in the Premier League this season, though still highly rated by the Saints. A loan deal may suit all parties, or even a permanent deal, with the player out of contract at the end of next season; Southampton may want to cash in. He is an ‘awkward player’ tall and quick, like Tammy Abraham. Would be a smart bit of business if Boro were interested.
Christian Walton
Age - 25
Position – Goalkeeper
Club – Brighton
A free agent in the summer, a once very highly rated young English keeper has now only been limited to just 2 FA Cup appearances this season. Boro are crying out for a player who can save a shot on target, which is something we have not had for the past few months. With no transfer fee involved, this would be an incredibly low-risk signing.
Adam Reach
Age – 28
Position – Midfield/Winger
Club – Sheffield Wednesday A player who is no stranger to Boro and has proven to be one of the best utility players in the Championship since he left. Would be suited on either wing or even as a classic box-to-box midfielder under Warnock. He will be a free agent in the summer which makes him another low risk signing. With 5 goals and 3 assists so far for struggling Wednesday, he should walk straight in our midfield 3 alongside Morsy and Tav. Strengths/Styles according to Whoscored
Holding onto the ball
Through Balls
Long Shots
Finishing
Isaac Mbenza
Age – 25
Position – Winger/Forward
Club – Huddersfield
Impressed against Boro at the Riverside before having to go off injured. Another free agent at the end of the season and would suit Warnock’s style. Quick and agile, strong and a threat from a dead ball scenario. Would be a no brainer signing.
Strengths/Styles according to WhoScored
Key Passes
Pace
Direct free kicks
Long Shots
Passing
Crossing
Samuel Shashoua*
Age - 21 Position – Winger
Club – CD Tenerife
The England born winger has started to hit form for the Spanish second division side with 2 goals in his last 4 games. The ex-Tottenham and England youth player would surely be a signing that could fill in the space that Kebano will surely leave in the summer.
Alex Palmer
Age - 24
Position - Goalkeeper
Club - Lincoln (On Loan from WBA)
Another player who is hitting form this season is the Imps keeper Alex Palmer. Palmer has kept 14 clean sheets in League 1 this season and will be looking for more first team football next term. With Sam Johnstone’s position as the West Brom number 1 fairly comfortable, Palmer will surely be looking for greener pastures.
Strengths/Styles according to WhoScored
Shot Stopping (Reflexes)