Middlesbrough will be kicking off their 2017/18 Championship campaign away to Wolves. After being relegated last season, Boro will be looking for an immediate return to the Premier League and will be hoping to get their season off to a great start with a win over Wolves.
Middlesbrough are also the biggest spenders in the Championship this year. They have spent around £43 million already with close to a month still remaining in the summer window.
But with so many new faces being added over the summer how will Middlesbrough line up in their first game? Here is the predicted lineup vs Wolves.
Formation: 4-3-3
Middlesbrough are quite familiar with this formation. They have used varying versions of it throughout last season and in their title winning season in 2015/16. Middlesbrough and Garry Monk may have originally wanted to start with a 4-2-3-1 with Gaston Ramirez as their CAM. However, his future has been up in the air somewhat lately and he was pictured at Gatwick airport suggesting he is set to leave Boro. Meaning Boro are likely to opt for a slightly more defensive formation without a true CAM. Furthermore, this formation was the one Monk opted for in Boro’s last pre season friendly against Augsburg in which he used what looked to be his best 11.
GK: Darren Randolph
Darren Randolph is just one of many signings Boro have made this summer. Randolph arrived at Middlesbrough from West Ham for a fee of £5 million and brings a host of experience with him. He has played both in the Premier League with West Ham and enjoyed a long spell in the Championship with Birmingham City.
As Randolph is the only keeper Boro signed in the window it’s likely he is going to be Monk’s number one and start against Wolves.
Right back: Cyrus Christie
The right back position for Monk is really a bit of a no brainer. As of right now, Middlesbrough only has one actual right back who is a permanent squad member. That man is Cyrus Christie. Christie recently signed for Middlesbrough from Derby County and has been Monk’s main choice for the spot throughout pre season.
Middlesbrough have also signed right back Connor Roberts from Swansea on a season long loan. But Roberts just looks to be a cover for the far more experienced and generally all round better right back, Cyrus Christie.
Centre back: Ben Gibson
Ben Gibson was Middlesbrough’s best player last season. He was a rock at the back, played every minute of Premier League football and was generally a shining light in a poor season. This and the fact he is English has attracted serious attention from several Premier League clubs, mainly West Brom.
Thankfully for Boro fans, however, Middlesbrough look to be keeping hold of Gibson for the time being. This is great news for the club and means Gibson should be nailed on to start against Wolves. Unless of course, a Premier League club comes in before Saturday with a huge offer.
Centre back: Daniel Ayala
Ayala had a somewhat miss matched Premier League season. He only made 14 Premier League appearances due to a combination of injuries and suspensions. But Middlesbrough have since lost two of last season’s centre backs. Callum Chambers has returned from his loan and Bernardo Espinosa has moved to Spain. This has left Boro with a slight shortage at the back. However, Ayala has looked to regain his spot as a first choice centre back and has been one of Monk’s main choices in pre-season.
The Ayala-Gibson partnership will be one Middlesbrough fans will be glad to see again. Especially in the Championship as when the two have played together in the Championship, Boro have only lost two games out of 48.
Left back: George Friend
Friend has been a mainstay in Middlesbrough’s defence for five years now and that looks to be continuing this season. Middlesbrough have signed zero new left backs this summer meaning Friend looks to be once again Boro’s main left back. Something 99% of Middlesbrough fans will be happy with as he was one of, if not the best left back in the Championship last time Boro were in it.
Centre defensive midfield: Adam Clayton
Clayton is by far Middlesbrough’s best CDM. He put some decent performances in the Premier League. But last time the Teessiders were in the Championship, Clayton was one of the players of the season and looks to be maintaining his spot at CDM for another season.
Centre midfield: Martin De Roon
Martin De Roon’s future at Middlesbrough has been widely speculated since they were relegated. Serie A side Atlanta, the side Middlesbrough signed De Roon from being the most interested. However, Middlesbrough seems determined to keep De Roon. The midfielder also played the majority of Middlesbrough’s last friendly against Augsburg, indicating that he is staying and is a part of Monk’s plans. Therefore, given his quality, De Roon will surely be starting against Wolves.
Centre midfield: Jonny Howson
Howson has recently signed for Boro from Championship rivals Norwich. Howson is unlike any of Middlesbrough’s other centre mids. Mainly because he can actually shoot and score goals. Something Boro were lacking in the CM area. Also, given Ramirez’s future looks to be away from Boro, Howson can provide some of that attacking drive in midfield that the likes of Adam Clayton could not.
Although Howson may be able to do a decent job going forward at Wolves, you would think Monk would like to get in a true CAM if Ramirez is leaving.
Right wing: Patrick Bamford
Bamford has shown signs of his old self-coming back since permanently signing for Boro. He scored a goal in pre season against Chesterfield and looked sharp against Augsburg.
Plus last time Bamford played in the Championship was with Middlesbrough, where he scored 17 league goals and was voted Championship player of the season. This is the kind of form Monk will be hoping he can find again this season. Once again Bamford played most of Boro’s last friendly which looked to be Monk’s favoured 11. So, expect him to start at Wolves over Adama Traore who’s inability to put in a decent cross or shoot is hindering his first team place at Boro.
Left wing: Martin Braithwaite
Braithwaite was signed by Boro this summer for £9 million. He plays both left wing and striker. But has mainly played out on the left in Boro’s preseason. He is very fast and good on the ball and gives Middlesbrough that extra edge up front they were lacking last season. He was also MOTM vs Augsburg, so expect him to be starting against Wolves.
Striker: Britt Assombalonga
Assombalonga is Middlesbrough’s record signing. He signed for £15 million meaning Middlesbrough no longer have to say their biggest transfer was Afonso Alves.
Assombalonga is a proven Championship goal scorer. Last season in a lack lustre Nottingham Forest side he scored 14 goals in 20 starts. This proves how good he is up top and if Middlesbrough keeps him fit, he will surely start every game and could score 20 plus goals.
