A number of Middlesbrough players have impressed in the early stages of the 2024/25 campaign.
Middlesbrough take on Watford in their final Championship fixture before the October international break.
Michael Carrick’s men have stepped up their performance a great deal in the last week or so and are now seventh in the Championship table.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 6 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 15 |
| 7 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 14 |
| 8 |  WatfordWatford | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 13 |
Middlesbrough are predicted to draw with Watford, but Boro fans likely fancy their chances against the Hornets going into Saturday afternoon’s game given how well several of their club’s stars have played in the early stages of 2024/25.
Hayden Hackney has been dubbed ‘exceptional’ after his recent showings for the Teessiders – scoring in their last two games.
Aidan Morris was labelled an ‘incredible find’ for Middlesbrough following his superb start to life in England on the back of his £3.18m move from Columbus Crew during the 2024 summer transfer window.
- READ MORE: How Middlesbrough really feel about selling Hayden Hackney amid Aston Villa transfer interest
Highest-rated Middlesbrough players of 2024/25 so far
It is not just the above duo who have taken the spotlight for the North East outfit in 2024/25, however.
Matt Clarke was proving himself a great defensive asset prior to the injury he picked up that kept him out of Boro’s last two clashes.
And now, Opta have revealed the highest-rated Middlesbrough players of 2024/25 so far according to their Opta Points ranking.
Unsurspingly given how well he has played in the last seven days, Hackney takes top spot with a points total of 241.4.
Despite not contributing as much as he did on the goal front in 2023/24, Luke Ayling earned second place on the list with a points total of 172.2
The remainder of the top-10 list is rounded out by Finn Azaz, Clarke, Morris, Isaiah Jones, Neto Borges, Emmanuel Latte Lath, George Edmundson and, very surprisingly, Lukas Engel.
- READ MORE: ‘Really impressive’ Middlesbrough star has just given Michael Carrick a major problem to solve
Middlesbrough stance on Luke Ayling should be clear
Ayling excelled during a six-month loan stint from Leeds United in the second half of the previous campaign, assisting nine times from right-back.
The 33-year-old returned to the Riverside on a free transfer and while his numbers have dropped, he remains a key cog in the Boro machine.
Ayling has provided one assist so far this term but his leadership skills as a temporary captain while Jonny Howson is sidelined and versatility have been much more important in 2024/25.
The former Leeds ace only signed a two-year deal with Middlesbrough, meaning he will have just 12 months left on that contract come the end of 2024/25.
But even if he is unable to play every game in the coming seasons due to his age, Boro should look to extend his contract beyond 2026.