Chris Wilder is planning to oversee a large overhaul of his Middlesbrough side this summer after missing out on a play-off place, so who are five former Boro players he could re-sign?
The Teesside natives appointed Wilder to replace Neil Warnock in November with the club just 14th in the table. He would lead the Riverside outfit on a charge up the standings, yet ultimately fell short of the top-six by five points and the automatic promotion places by 18.
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Middlesbrough took as many points as Premier League-bound Bournemouth under Wilder with 48 from 29 games. But across the season, Boro conceded more goals with 50 allowed than all bar Luton Town (55) above them and scored fewer with 59 than all of the top-six.
Boro’s offensive record for the 2021/22 Championship season was, in fact, only the 10th-best haul across the second-tier. Additionally, Middlesbrough only scored three or more goals in a single match on three occasions, while also failing to find the net at all 12 times.
Wilder has already turned his attention to rebuilding his Middlesbrough ranks this summer with many at risk. The Boro gaffer hinted, via Teesside Live, this month that Paddy McNair, Dael Fry, Jonny Howson, Marcus Tavernier, Isaiah Jones and Riley McGree are likely safe.
So, with the scale of Wilder’s rebuild set to be grand as he strives to make Middlesbrough a promotion contender next season, here are five former Boro players he could re-sign…
Wilder should re-sign former Middlesbrough player Assombalonga to boost offence
Britt Assombalonga only left Middlesbrough last year when Wilder released the DR Congo striker at the end of his contract. The 29-year-old had spent the previous four years at the Riverside, after what remains the club’s record transfer at £15m from Nottingham Forest.
He offered 45 goals over 152 regular-season Championship games during the striker’s time on Teesside. And Assombalonga has shown he can still offer a threat in the final-third this term, having scored 10 goals across 37 Super Lig games, starting 15, for Adana Demirspor.
Having only opened a handful of his appearances, the nine-cap international may consider a move away. If so, Wilder should consider re-signing the former Middlesbrough player to bolster his attacking arsenal and get Assombalonga back to where he was before Warnock.
Stephens can boost Wilder’s defence with return for former Middlesbrough player
Jack Stephens could help to boost Wilder’s defence with a return to Middlesbrough for the out-of-favour Southampton player. The 28-year-old enjoyed a brief stay at the Riverside in 2015 on loan from the Saints, during which he only made two Championship appearances.
Yet the 28-year-old has developed well in the years to have passed since his Teesside spell. His mentality and endeavour to fight has proven key to Ralph Hasenhuttl overseeing some results at St Mary’s. But Stephens has too often been unable to lock down an integral role.
Now, The Athletic report Southampton may sell Stephens this summer after only featuring in six Premier League games since September. He proved unable to regain a starting role in Hasenhuttl’s team after a hamstring tendon injury kept the defender out for three months.
Middlesbrough can re-sign former player Fredericks after West Ham release
Wilder could improve his wide defensive options by shopping in the free agent market to sign a former Middlesbrough player. That’s after West Ham United have announced Ryan Fredericks will leave the London Stadium when his £40k-a-week contract ends on June 30.
Fredericks joined the Hammers in a free transfer from Fulham in 2018 after leaving Craven Cottage at the end of his contract. But after a handful of injuries, the Irons’ £5.5m transfer for Vladimir Coufal and rise of Ben Johnson, Fredericks only held a reserve role this season.
David Moyes fielded Fredericks in just seven Premier League matches for 303 minutes and he only started three games. The 29-year-old – who played 19 times for Boro on loan from Tottenham in 2014/15 – also only played 445 minutes in outings in eight cup ties this term.
Randolph could see Lumley axed for final time with Teesside return
Joe Lumley was Middlesbrough’s first signing last summer when Warnock finalised his free transfer from Queens Park Rangers. But despite his 13 clean sheets from 34 Championship games, the 27-year-old goalkeeper’s displays were often subject to some heavy criticisms.
Wilder particularly let rip after Lumley’s error against Hull in April. He fumed, via Teesside Live: “It’s a disappointing goal, the goalkeeper needs to do better. I’ve protected him for quite a while now, Joe. There is no real hiding place there, it is another poor goal.”
Lumley did not feature again after failing to prevent a preventable goal against the Tigers. Now, Wilder should bring in a new shot-stopper like former Middlesbrough player Darren Randolph, who spent this season on West Ham’s bench without playing in a single match.
Chalobah could seal Middlesbrough return after Fulham promotion
Nathaniel Chalobah has enjoyed a nomadic career in first-team football since the 27-year-old made his senior debut in 2012. The midfielder made his bow on loan from Chelsea to Watford, before spells at Nottingham Forest, Boro, Burnley, Reading, Napoli and Fulham.
He also returned to Watford in 2017 in a permanent £5m transfer and remained there to 2021 and joining Fulham. Yet his debut season at Craven Cottage only featured 20 games and 11 starts in the Championship as Marco Silva’s side sweapt the title to seal promotion.
Now, the one-cap England international may struggle to earn game time next season with the Cottagers in the Premier League. So, Wilder could seal a Riverside return for the out-of-favour Fulham player by requesting Middlesbrough re-sign Chalobah over the summer.
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