Middlesbrough have a well-stocked squad but one returning star may find it hard to earn minutes under Michael Carrick this season.
Boro’s squad depth following the close of the 2024 summer transfer window is pretty amazing.
Michael Carrick now has at least three options in every position on the pitch until at least January.
One of the areas Middlesbrough are most well-stocked in after a hectic window is their forward line.
Emmanuel Latte Lath and Tommy Conway are competing for the number nine role, with Delano Burgzorg also a capable centre-forward.
Then, behind the striker, the Teessiders currently have Riley McGree, Burgzorg, Finn Azaz, Alex Gilbert, Isaiah Jones, Micah Hamilton and Ben Doak competing for three positions, while Conway may also be used as a number 10 or on the left.
While this is great for Carrick who now has so many different options to choose from, it isn’t great for one Middlesbrough man.
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Marcus Forss set for Middlesbrough return
Marcus Forss joined Middlesbrough from Brentford in August 2022 for just over £3m.
The Finn scored 10 and assisted five in 38 Championship fixtures during his debut campaign at the club.
Forss then started the 2023/24 season off brightly, finding the net on seven occasions and providing two assists in 21 league ties.
However, the 25-year-old then suffered a long-term injury that has seen him miss the start of 2024/25.
Ahead of taking on Preston North End on Saturday though, Carrick has confirmed that Forss is back in training but is not ready to feature this weekend.
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Michael Carrick must make tough Marcus Forss transfer call
Had Forss returned at the back end of 2023/24, it would have been a major boost for Middlesbrough.
Carrick dubbed the player ‘terrific’ back in 2023, as per the Northern Echo. Now though, there isn’t really any room in the squad for the 21-time capped international and the Boro boss may have to make a tough call on his future going forward.
Forss has two main positions for the North East outfit, operating primarily as a right winger but also up top on occasion.
As already mentioned, Latte Lath, Conway and Burgzorg are Carrick’s current centre-forward options, while Josh Coburn will return to the club at the end of 2024/25 following his loan at Millwall.
On the right, meanwhile, Jones, Doak and Hamilton are all already competing for a starting berth with Sonny Finch also expected to fight for his place when he returns from his loan.
In turn, if the likes of Conway and Hamilton perform well over the next few months, it may be in both the club’s and player’s best interest if Forss were to be moved on in January or next summer as there is no longer a clear way he fits into the team.