Middlesbrough are currently monitoring the progress of Rochdale defender, Ryan Delaney along with promotion-chasing rivals, Wolves. The 21-year-old has just recently signed with the Dale on a permanent deal. First team opportunities were hard to come by at Burton Albion and Delaney had to find different clubs to develop his game further.
Delaney was quoted,”I just wanted to get out and play football. I was playing a lot of reserve football and, to develop into a better player, I needed to be playing more competitive games. John got to me and asked me how I would feel about coming to play for Cork and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
He spent almost the entire 2017 out on loan to Cork City while registering 34 appearances and scoring the ball 6 times. He started his professional career with Wexford and then signed with Burton back in the summer of 2016. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall, Delaney can play both as a centre-back and a right-back.
He has been capped for the Republic Of Ireland U21 team once and has admitted that the League Of Ireland is turning out to be a good breeding ground for English teams.
Delaney excelled in his time at Turner’s Cross. He played in the heart of the City’s defence to win the League title and the FAI Cup after beating Dundalk in the final. He helped the team secure the double for the first time in their club’s history.
Middlesbrough are fighting for a promotion to the Premier League and have already a few additions in the January market. They signed Martin Cranie from Huddersfield Town and strengthened the midfield by agreeing to loan deals for Muhamed Besic and Jack Harrison. They are coming off a 2-1 win against Reading on the weekend and their battle for a spot in the playoffs has taken a few hits on the way.
Tony Pulis was appointed as the manager earlier in the season and the 60-year-old has integrated a defensive structure into the team. Even though they are 4 points behind in the 9th place of the points table, 15 games are more than enough to bridge the gap. Pulis’ style of play dictates the usage of ball holding defenders who have the ability to distribute from the back. This single philosophy has worked in the Premier League and will work brilliantly with a versatile presence like Delaney.
As Wolves are preparing for a sure future in top-flight English football, Boro should not miss out on the opportunity to sign the youngster up in the summer.
