Middlesbrough have had a very active summer transfer window. They have signed 10 players and spent over £44 million. They have also broken their transfer record spending £15 million on Britt Assombalonga. But with so many new additions, what is Boro’s best XI after this summer’s window?
Formation: 4-1-2-3/4-1-2-1-2
The 4-1-2-3 has been Garry Monk’s favoured formation at Middlesbrough so far this season. When used effectively, it has worked well for Boro. It gives Boro the option to play with wingers, with the likes of Patrick Bamford, Rudy Gestede and Martin Braithwaite taking up wide positions. Or it allows Boro to play with two up top, mainly Gestede and Assombalonga with Bamford dropping into a CAM role.
This has been the formation Middlesbrough have secured all their wins with this season and when they opted against using it vs Preston North End, the result were awful and Middlesbrough looked a real mess for most of the game. Therefore, the 4-1-2-3 should be their go to formation.
GK: Darren Randolph
Over the summer Middlesbrough lost both Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan. This meant the number one spot for Boro was a very popular topic of debate. Veteran keeper Dimi was many fans first choice after he was such a top keeper last time Boro were in the Championship. Youngster Connor Ripley was also in the conversation after keeping 18 clean sheets out on loan at Oldham last season.
However, Garry Monk decided against neither of the two and instead opted to sign Darren Randolph from West Ham. Randolph cost Boro £5m. So far he has been a great signing. He’s kept three clean sheets in five league games and has pulled off some top quality saves. Randolph has certainly rewarded Monk’s decision to make him Boro’s number one and looks to have that spot all season.
RB: Cyrus Christie
Antonio Barragan was Boro’s main right back last season. But after being extremely poor for most of the season he has been loaned out to Real Betis.
Therefore, Middlesbrough were in desperate need of signing a right back. Monk opted to sign two. The first Cyrus Christie from Derby County. The second Connor Roberts on loan from Monk’s old club Swansea City. Roberts is likely to only be a substitute though.
Christie has started every league game for Boro and has put in some great performances. He is superb going forward, puts in a great cross and unlike Barragan he can take a throw in.
RCB: Dael Fry
Dael Fry filled in for Daniel Ayala after he was injured after just one game. But since he filled in for Ayala Dael, Fry has shone brilliantly. Fry and Gibson have formed a great partnership and they are a big reason why Boro are unbeaten and haven’t conceded at home this season.
Boro have also recently signed a centre back Ryan Shotton. But he is more likely to be a rotation player rather than a regular starter.
LCB: Ben Gibson
Ben Gibson was Boro’s best centre back last year in the Premier League playing every minute. His future has been up in the air since Boro were relegated with several Premier League sides such as Manchester City and West Brom interested.
However, Boro stood firm on Gibson and the Premier League quality centre back looks to be a feature of Middlesbrough’s back line until at least January.
Gibson is a leader, shows passion and is top quality. Boro keeping Gibson is one of the best things they have done this window. Expect him to play every game in the league this season, if he’s fit.
LB: George Friend
George Friend has been a mainstay in Middlesbrough’s defence for many years now. Friend loves to get forward and fits Monks team very well as Monk wants both his full backs to bomb forward.
Friend’s ability has been under fire from many Boro fans in recent weeks. But just because he is having a few bad performances doesn’t mean he is still not a top player.
The alternative to Friend is Fabio. Fabio has only played one league game this season. He spent most of it out of position so it’s hard to judge if he’d be a better choice than Friend.
CDM: Adam Clayton
Adam Clayton has taken up a slightly deeper role in Garry Monk’s new look side. He now spends much of his time on the pitch dropping between Boro’s two centre backs, forming a back three. This allows Middlesbrough’s full backs and centre mids to push up the pitch.
Clayton has been Boro’s best player this season. He controls the game, breaks up play and is a superb CDM. This is evident in stats such as pass accuracy per game. Clayton tops the list with 86% which shows how good he is at controlling a game and linking up play.
CM: Lewis Baker
Baker signed for Boro this summer on loan from Chelsea. The midfielder has only started one league game this season against Preston North End. However, he did start in Boro’s League Cup win over Scunthorpe where he scored an excellent goal on the edge of the box.
Although Baker hasn’t started much so far this season, he should be a regular starter for Boro. With Monk seemingly not wanting to play a natural CAM this year, Baker needs to be in the team. Because he loves to get forward and has a goal and assist in him. Something Boro will need from their centre mids this season.
CM: Jonny Howson
Howson is also a new signing this summer, this time coming from Norwich. Howson is very much a similar player to Baker. In his time at Norwich, he loved to get forward and score and assist.
Last season he scored six and assisted eight for Norwich and Boro will be hoping for similar figures from the centre mid during this campaign. Once again like Baker, if Monk is not going to play a natural CAM he needs players like Howson to come up from centre mid and contribute to goals and assists.
RW: Patrick Bamford
After coming back early to pre season, Patrick Bamford has certainly impressed for Boro. He looks almost back at his best. Bamford is creating key chances for Boro, including Ruddy Gestede’s only goal of the game against Sheffield United.
Bamford has also taken up an almost double role this season. He generally starts games out on the right wing. But with Monk’s new formation Bamford often drops behind the other two forwards into a CAM position. He has done well in this role and it was in that position where he assisted Gestede’s goal.
ST: Britt Assombalonga
Assombalonga has had a mixed start to his Middlesbrough career after becoming their record signing.
He opened his goal scoring tally for Boro against Burton scoring two excellent number nine goals. However, against Nottingham Forest, he very much lost his nerve and missed several big chances that could have seen Boro win or draw the game. Hopefully, this was more to do with the fact he was returning to his old club rather than his true ability though.
Either way, Assombalonga is a proven Championship striker and should be able to bag a fair few goals this season.
LW: Martin Braithwaite
Martin Braithwaite signed for Boro from Toulouse this summer for around £9 million. Braithwaite was unfortunately struck with an injury after playing just one game for Boro. He was injured in training and has yet to return.
However, he should be fit once again after the international break. When back fit Braithwaite should be Boro’s starting left winger. He is fast and tricky and like Bamford can play two positions. In Monk’s formation, the left winger can also switch to be a striker, as Gestede has been doing in Braithwaite’s absence. Unlike Gestede though Martin can play both positions very well. He also adds some much-needed pace to Boro’s side.
