Middlesborough have completed six signings already this summer, but Michael Carrick has suggested he wants more senior additions.
Boro have added six new faces to the squad in the last week. However, despite the quantity, only one can be considered an immediate first-team addition, Seny Dieng.
The other five come in the form of players who are thought to have their best days ahead of them. They are also considered to be somewhat of a gamble, due to not having played at a high level and being unknown by the majority.
Morgan Rogers and Alex Gilbert are two players who despite being highly rated, have limited experience, while Tom Glover and Sam Silvera are coming from the A-League which represents a huge gamble.
Rav van den Bern had suitors from across Europe but, at just 18, will require some bedding-in time after his move from the Netherlands. It will be hoped that all the signings have an instant impact, yet Middlesbrough are aware some senior signings would go a long way.
Carrick suggests Boro will focus on senior signings
Carrick has taken the time to discuss transfers, during the club’s pre-season in Portugal. The Middlesbrough boss suggested that he is pleased with the youthful and exciting moves made this summer to date, but highlighted that his side could benefit from some more experienced incomings.
Carrick told TeesideLive: “I think all the boys are at a similar age and a similar stage of their career where they want to build on what they’ve achieved so far. We’re happy to help them do that, to push them and help them fulfil their potential.
“There are always different parts to a squad. You need the young ones and you want the ones that underpin that with the talent and the potential.
“You want everyone to be pushing to play, and then of course you have the senior boys as well. We’ve got to get the balance right, and we’ll be working to do that throughout the rest of the window.”
Of course these deals tend to be more expensive and are harder to do, therefore making them more difficult for Boro to complete. Carrick will be hopeful of incomings to minimise the impact of losing Ryan Giles and Cameron Archer, who were both so important for his team last season.