Middlesbrough Players Who Will Become Free Agents In June Including Former Arsenal Man
With Boro mounting a playoff charge under former Man United interim boss and current Boro manager Michael Carrick, their squad could look very different next season if they beat the odds and win promotion. Which Middlesbrough players would you like to stick around? Here we examine the Middlesbrough players who will become free agents in June.
These seven players are set to see their Boro contracts run out at the end of the season, assuming they aren’t renewed. We won’t be including loan players – only players under contract at Middlesbrough are eligible for inclusion.
Duncan Watmore
Former Sunderland player Duncan Watmore has been a positive creative force since joining Middlesbrough. This season, he’s got five goals in 20 league games.
He generally plays as a winger, but can also be deployed as a central attacking midfielder if necessary. On top of this, he can also function as a striker.
A hard working attacking player with plenty of talent to back it up, can Watmore cut it in the Premier League He’s played in that division while at Sunderland, scoring three goals in total.
Jonny Howson
Veteran midfielder Jonny Howson has been at Boro since 2017 – suffice to say, he’s one of the more familiar faces at the Riverside Stadium.
But has his time at Middlesbrough come to an end? At 34, he certainly isn’t getting any younger – the constant pressing of the Premier League could be too much for him at such an advanced footballing age.
He’s played in the Premier League before, while at Norwich – however, he was in his prime then. Regardless, he’s been a Middlesbrough mainstay this season, featuring in all of their 28 league games so far.
Darnell Fisher
Darnell Fisher has been out of action for around 19 months now, after suffering a knee injury while at home. It was a devastating blow for the right back, just as he was entering the prime of his career.
When fit, Fisher is a great player to have in the team. A solid defender with the ability to get forward, he’s what you would expect a modern fullback to be.
The question is – do you give him time to get fit again, or do you cut your losses? Ultimately, it’s a decision that Michael Carrick must make in the near future.
Stephen Walker
Stephen Walker is one of the more promising talents to come out of Boro’s academy in recent years. Despite this, he hasn’t made the splash that people thought he might have done in the first team.
So far, he’s made seven league appearances for Middlesbrough. He’s also enjoyed loan spells for Crewe, Tranmere and MK Dons.
Aged just 20, it seems rash to let such a promising talent to leave on a free transfer. Do you give him more time to develop?
Tommy Smith
A fullback with Premier League experience, Tommy Smith has been a solid addition to Boro’s back line. Better still – they got him for free!
Despite this, with next season fast approaching, Smith’s contract would expire in June again if it is not renewed. He’s 30 years old, but he has been favoured at right back by Carrick.
Smith has played for Huddersfield and Stoke previously. He played for Huddersfield while the Terriers were in the Premier League, making 39 top flight appearances in total.
Luke Daniels
Boro’s reliable backup ‘keeper, Luke Daniels, could see his contract run out in June. Of all the players on this list, Daniels is probably the most likely player to be let go – he’s 35 years old and his opportunities for Middlesbrough have been limited this season.
Carrick has instead favoured loan goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who will return to Manchester City in the summer. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Boro invest in a new shot stopper for next season.
This being said, Daniels is far from a poor goalkeeper, with excellent fundamentals. If he were to be kept, it would likely be in his current role as backup, though.
Chuba Akpom
Here’s one player that Boro fans definitely won’t want to see the back of – Chuba Akpom is currently having the season of his life.
A former Arsenal youth player, he never really materialised at the Emirates Stadium. Instead, he’s hitting his prime at the Riverside, where he has 13 goals in 21 Championship games this season.
Quick, powerful and with an eye for goal, Akpom is everything you’d want in a striker. Can he press on and become the Premier League player he was expected to be?