A number of Middlesbrough players have shone during the early stages of the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Boro got back to winning ways on Wednesday evening, beating Sheffield United 1-0 to climb up to eighth in the Championship table and to within two points of the play-off places.
Emmanuel Latte Lath scored the winner vs Sheffield United, ending a run of 10 games without an open play goal in the Championship in 2024/25.
Latte Lath was not the only one of Michael Carrick’s men to impress against the Blades, however, with Luke Ayling proving Middlesbrough fans wrong after what he did against Chris Wilder and co.
Another star who shone at the Riverside Stadium in midweek was Ben Doak, who joined Boro on a season-long loan from Liverpool on transfer deadline day over the summer.
The Scotsman did not score or assist versus Sheffield United but he was a constant threat down the right, cutting inside and causing a lot of problems for the opposition backline.
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Championship expert predicts big things for Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak
Doak made history for Scotland during the recent international break and has continued that form at club level for the Teessiders.
The winger has settled into life with the North East very well and Doak was leading the Championship in three key stats recently.
Now, speaking on the Second Tier podcast, Championship expert Ryan Dilks has given a glowing review of the Liverpool loanee and predicted fans will ‘be hearing a lot about him’ very soon.
He said: “Young Ben Doak on loan from Liverpool. 18 years old. He’s pretty frightening.
“If anyone’s not seen much of Middlesbrough this season you’ll be hearing a lot about him sooner rather than later because he is unbelievable.”
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Can Middlesbrough sign Ben Doak permanently
Unfortunately for Middlesbrough fans, Doak is only at their club on a temporary basis right now and will return to Anfield at the end of 2024/25.
Given the level Liverpool are competing at, the teenager is by no means guaranteed first-team football when he returns next year.
This, in theory, could open the door for Boro to swoop in and convince Arne Slot to let the winger go on a permanent deal.
However, even if Liverpool are willing to sell, the fee they would demand will likely prove too high for Middlesbrough unless they win promotion from the Championship in the current campaign.