Middlesbrough are set for another season in the Championship next term after missing out on promotion, but Chris Wilder could see some of his players leave for the Premier League.
Boro endured a frustrating climax to the 2021/22 campaign as the Teesside outfit failed to claim a play-off place. They ended the season five points outside the top-six, and a further 13 to the automatic places Fulham and Bournemouth locked up for their top-flight returns.
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The Riverside natives will now hope to follow the Cottagers and Cherries’ lead next season in their sixth second-tier campaign since suffering relegation in 2016/17. But Wilder could be forced to spend during the summer to keep Middlesbrough among the promotion pack.
Isaiah Jones headlines Middlesbrough players potentially set for Premier League
Isaiah Jones headlines the Middlesbrough players who could now potentially be set for the Premier League after impressing under Wilder. That’s because TEAMtalk noted in February that Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Leeds, West Ham and Wolves had all scouted him.
The London-born right-wing-back has also attracted Atletico Madrid, Ajax, Lyon, RB Leipzig and Roma’s interest. Jones has several sides eying his progress as the 22-year-old shone this term with one goal and nine assists over 42 second-tier games, of which he started 36.
Thomas Tuchel even admitted he changed Chelsea’s tactics to cope with the threat Jones presented in the FA Cup. He had already dazzled in the tournament against Manchester United and Spurs, showing an endless ability to get in behind defences to cause problems.
The Blues boss said, via The Northern Echo, this March: “They push their right-wing-back, Jones, very high, he plays almost like a winger, so we adapted with [Malang] Sarr to have the physical strength and speed to match this attacking force of Middlesbrough.”
Matt Crooks can earn Premier League move after one year as a Middlesbrough player
Matt Crooks could earn a Premier League move after just a year as a Middlesbrough player after joining last summer. The midfielder moved to the Riverside from Rotherham for £1m, and would strike a team-high 11 goals with 10 in the Championship from 44 total outings.
The central midfielder has never featured in the top-flight in England, having so far spent his career in the second, third and fourth-tiers. He also featured in the Scottish top-flight for Rangers in 2016/17 whilst on loan from Scunthorpe, but Crooks only played in two games.
Performing on Teesside could merit Crooks’ chance to show his skill with a Premier League team, though. He carved out an important role at the Riverside with creative through balls to Jones, while also offering plenty of supportive runs at both ends with a box-to-box style.
Marcus Tavernier may now merit Boro exit after nine years on Teesside
Marcus Tavernier may now merit a permanent move away from Middlesbrough after nine years on Teesside. The 23-year-old joined Boro’s academy in 2013, and has progressed for 155 first-team appearances. He has also offered 18 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.
The Leeds-born dynamo struck five of his goals and five assists in 44 Championship games this term, starting 43. Tavernier also showed his versatility with minutes mostly in central midfield, but also on either wing. He even stood out while stepping in at left-wing-back.
“Sometimes when people talk about Tav, they don’t always see the side of him where he plays on Wednesday when he shouldn’t have, or plays anywhere you ask,” Wilder said, via Teesside Live, after assisting in a win over Stoke. “It epitomised what Marcus is all about.”
Premier League teams will appreciate Tavernier’s versatility and willingness to play out of his natural position. And with his Boro contract expiring in 2023, Wilder may find that this summer puts the north east outfit’s resolve to the test fearful of him soon leaving for free.
Chris Wilder confident Middlesbrough star Dael Fry can be a Premier League player
Dael Fry is an important part of the Middlesbrough defence Wilder will not want to lose, but the Boro boss knows he can be a Premier League player. He lauded the center-half’s ability this season, having finally had the chance to work with the central defender he appreciates.
“I’ve known Dael, and have known all about Dael, for a long, long time,” Wilder said, via The Northern Echo, in December. “I’ve watched him in the division over the last four or five years, and saw how he burst onto the scene. I’ve been so impressed with his qualities.
“He’s a Middlesbrough-type of player, as well – aggressive, but wants to play too… He’s got all the qualities I want. Can Dael play at the top of this division? Without a shadow of a doubt. Can he play in the top division? Yes, but we’ll all think that.”
Having failed to see Middlesbrough secure promotion, Fry may now consider leaving to be a Premier League player next season. He is another Boro player out of contract in 2023, so will soon start evaluating his long-term future and if Wilder can bring him top-flight action.
Paddy McNair may make top-flight return without Middlesbrough
Paddy McNair may return to the Premier League over the summer without Middlesbrough after failing to help secure promotion. The 27-year-old last featured in the top-flight during the 2016/17 season after joining Sunderland from Manchester United under David Moyes.
He later left the Stadium of Light for the Riverside in 2018, and has gone on to play in 160 games in all competitions with Boro. McNair made 46 of his appearances this term with 42 in the Championship, while offering five goals and three assists from midfield and defence.
Wilder could now face a fight to see Middlesbrough stop McNair from becoming a Premier League player again. His consistency in the north east drew interest from West Ham in the January market, per The Northern Echo. Celtic had also set eyes on taking him to Scotland.
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