Middlesbrough signed John Obi Mikel on a free transfer.
According to a report by Teamtalk, Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis plans to use new signing John Obi Mikel as a number 10 despite the player featuring as a holding midfielder for over a decade.
Boro surprised the footballing world by concluding a deal for Mikel on Thursday. The Nigeria international agreed terms over a short-term deal at the Riverside Stadium after being a free agent since November.
Mikel will add plenty of experience to Boro’s squad. The 31-year-old spent a decade at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012 among other honours.
Boro are currently fifth in the Championship and they are aiming to return to the Premier League following their relegation in the 2016/17 campaign.
This season Tony Pulis’s side have only managed 31 league goals in 28 games. Supporters have been keen to see attack-minded players join this month, therefore the addition of Mikel has caused some confusion.
But in an interesting twist, it is claimed Pulis will deploy Mikel as a number 10, presumably supporting either Jordan Hugill or Britt Assombalonga as the lone striker.
Mikel made over 350 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, yet he managed just six goals. Unless he has been working on adding a new attacking dimension to his game, it seems a left field move.
Boro have also signed Rajiv van La Parra this month, but they remain light at left-back with little cover for George Friend.
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