Middlesbrough have had a rather successful transfer window so far. They have signed five first team players in total. These include Britt Assombalonga from Nottingham Forest for a club record fee of £15 million. Martin Braithwaite for around £9 million from French side Toulouse. Jonathan Howson from Norwich for around £4.8 million. They’ve also signed two right backs. The first was Cyrus Christie from Derby for just over £2 million. The second Connor Roberts on loan from Swansea City.
However, one area Middlesbrough are struggling to improve upon is the goalkeeper position. So far Middlesbrough have been linked with Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone. But he has since decided to go on loan to Aston Villa. They have made bids for Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood which also did not come to anything. Boro have also shown an interest in Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow.
Thankfully for Middlesbrough fans though, they have also been linked with West Ham’s Darren Randolph. Unlike the other keepers mentioned above, Randolph to Middlesbrough is looking more and more likely as Boro step up their interest in the Premier League shot stopper.
Especially considering that West Ham have just secured the services of England’s number one Joe Hart on a season long loan. This means that Randolph may be surplus to requirements at the Hammers next season. But should Boro go for him?
Randolph moved to West Ham in 2015 from Championship side Birmingham on a free transfer. During his time at the London club, Randolph has been in and out of the team. He did, however, enjoy a run of games as West Ham’s first team keeper this season. He started 22 league games for the Hammers during the middle of the season. Keeping 4 clean sheets in that time. Not the most impressive but then again neither was West Ham’s defence.
During his run of games last season though, he did prove he was a quality goal keeper and could do a job in the Premier League. Therefore, if Randolph is a decent keeper in the Premier League, he will certainly do well in the Championship. Also, if Middlesbrough do get promoted next season, they will already have a keeper with Premier League experience in Randolph.
Darren Randolph also has Championship experience which is a big plus if Boro sign him. As mentioned earlier he moved to West Ham from Birmingham who are a Championship side. During his time at Birmingham, he was their main keeper.
His most impressive season for the Blues was definitely the season before he moved to West Ham. He played 45 Championship games and kept 12 clean sheets in the 2014/15 season. An impressive record considering Birmingham weren’t exactly the best in the Championship that season, finishing 10th.
While it is clear Darren Randolph would do a good job at Boro if they sign him, Boro already have two keepers who could and have done well in the Championship. Mainly, Boro’s number one keeper when they were in the Championship Dimi.
In Middlesbrough’s last two seasons in the Championship, Dimi was the best keeper in the league. In both the 2014/15 season and the 2015/16 season, Middlesbrough conceded the least goals in the league, in no small part due to Dimi’s excellent performances. Also, Dimi himself kept the most clean sheets in the Championship in both of those seasons. 21 in the 2014/15 season and 22 in Boro’s 2015/16 promotion winning season.
Therefore, after having two fantastic seasons in the Championship, why shouldn’t Dimi be given a chance to be Boro’s number one again? Admittedly Dimi didn’t play much last season due to Boro signing Victor Valdes. But now they are back in the Championship, Dimi should certainly be given a chance.
Middlesbrough also have Connor Ripley as a backup keeper. Ripley was on loan at League One side Oldham Athletic last season. He was their main keeper and managed to keep 18 clean sheets despite Oldham finishing 17th.
Ripley’s 18 clean sheets were both a joint Oldham record and the most clean sheets kept in League One last season. This shows Ripley is a good keeper who is ready to step up from League One to the Championship.
Overall, if Middlesbrough do manage to sign Darren Randolph he will no doubt do well. He has proven he is a good keeper in both the Premier League and Championship. However, why Boro are so desperate to sign a new keeper remains to be seen as they have two solid keepers in Dimi and Ripley. Perhaps Monk feels that Dimi is past his best and Ripley is too inexperienced?
