Our prediction: 3rd
Likely finish: 2nd–6th
Transfer window so far: 7/10
Biggest question
Can Middlesbrough replace Hayden Hackney?
Why we have so much faith in Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have been one of the Championship’s most attractive footballing sides for some time. They want to dominate possession, play on the front foot and control matches through tempo and technical quality. The problem has often been consistency, but this time we believe they have a squad capable of taking the next step and challenging right at the top.
Jeremy Sarmiento, Myles Peart-Harris, Kyle Joseph and Will Lankshear have arrived this summer, giving Boro an exciting collection of new attacking options.
Sarmiento brings pace, creativity and the ability to produce something individually when a match becomes difficult. Lankshear may be the most intriguing addition of the lot. Middlesbrough have invested heavily in a young striker they hope can develop into one of the Championship’s next major goalscorers.
There is risk involved, particularly following the departure of one of their most influential midfielders, but the ceiling of this Middlesbrough side is extremely high.
The big loss
Hayden Hackney’s move to Everton is significant.
Hackney was the engine of the midfield. He dictated the rhythm of matches, progressed the ball and helped Middlesbrough play through pressure. Replacing everything he provided with one player will not be easy.
Dael Fry has also departed, taking further Championship experience and defensive quality out of the squad. The result could be a Middlesbrough team that becomes even more dangerous going forward while simultaneously becoming more vulnerable when possession is lost. Finding the right balance will be crucial.
Strengths
At their best, Middlesbrough have the potential to play almost any Championship opponent off the pitch. There is technical quality throughout the team, plenty of pace in attacking areas and several players capable of creating an advantage in one-on-one situations. The additional attacking options should also make Middlesbrough less predictable and give them different ways to break down opponents.
At the Riverside Stadium, we expect them to dominate a lot of matches. They possess the quality required to break down teams that defend deep, and if the new-look attack develops an understanding quickly, Boro could become one of the most entertaining and productive sides in the division. Their ceiling is arguably that of an automatic-promotion team.
AdvertisementWeaknesses
The biggest concern is the balance of the midfield following Hackney’s departure. Without him, Middlesbrough risk losing control in matches they would previously have dictated. That becomes particularly dangerous when they commit numbers forward, because opponents will look to attack the spaces left behind as soon as possession changes hands.
There is also no guarantee that the new attacking pieces will click immediately. Sarmiento, Peart-Harris, Joseph and Lankshear offer plenty of potential, but building relationships takes time.
If Boro start slowly while adjusting to life without Hackney, the automatic-promotion places could begin to move away from them before they find their best form.
Key player
Will Lankshear
Lankshear has the opportunity to become one of the Championship’s major breakout players. There will inevitably be pressure after Middlesbrough’s investment in him, but he has the potential to give the team the reliable goalscorer they need. If he settles quickly and reaches double figures, Boro’s promotion prospects will look extremely strong.
Player to watch
Jeremy Sarmiento
Sarmiento gives Middlesbrough something every promotion contender needs: a player capable of creating something from nothing.
His pace and ability in one-on-one situations can transform matches that appear to be going nowhere. If he finds consistency, he could become one of the Championship’s most entertaining attacking players.
What they still need
The priority is clear: a central midfielder capable of filling the enormous gap left by Hayden Hackney. It does not necessarily have to be a like-for-like replacement, but Middlesbrough need someone who can give them control, balance and security in possession while allowing the attacking players to take risks further forward.
Get that signing right and the argument for putting Boro in the automatic-promotion places becomes considerably stronger.
Verdict
Middlesbrough are our major outsiders for the Championship title. There is enough attacking talent in this squad to challenge the very best teams in the division, and we expect Boro to spend much of the season around the automatic-promotion places.
The reason we have stopped at third is Hackney. Replacing a midfielder who influenced so many different phases of their game is a major challenge, and it may cost Middlesbrough points while they search for the right balance.
If they solve that problem, there is no reason they cannot finish in the top two. As things stand, however, we have them falling narrowly short.
Our prediction is 3rd place – agonisingly close to automatic promotion and a major threat in the playoffs.