Middlesbrough don’t have too many players out of contract in the summer. But one player’s future might be a concern to Michael Carrick.
Middlesbrough, despite not having too many players out of contract in the summer, could still go about a bit of a rebuild.
Carrick has a number of players on loan who’ll see their deals expire in the summer; Lewis O’Brien, Sam Greenwood, Luke Thomas, and Luke Ayling.
And those out of contract; Paddy McNair, Jonny Howson, and Jamie Jones need to be given some thought too.
But one name on that latter list stands out; Howson.
The 35-year-old has now amassed a staggering 721 career appearances, with 305 of them in a Middlesbrough shirt after joining in 2017.
Jonny Howson keen to stay on at Middlesbrough
Speaking to Teesside Live ahead of his contract expiry this summer, Howson outlined his desire to stay on, saying:
“I’ve spoken about a fair few different reasons that I’ve got that are priorities and motivation for me. That’s not changed. I still feel good and if they want me here then great, if not, I guess I’ll have to look for a new club! I’ve been in these situations a few times now throughout my career, for different reasons.”
And journalist Craig Johns has urged Middlesbrough to take action and hand Howson a new deal, saying:
Howson experience could be vital in Boro rebuild
Middlesbrough are in a bit of limbo right now.
The club remains in position to challenge for the top six, but after a subdued January transfer window and the loss of Morgan Rogers, whether the club can realistically challenge remains to be seen.
Focus may quickly start turning to the summer then. With the Rogers money in the bag, Carrick may once again be armed with a sizeable transfer kitty and he’ll no doubt want to bolster most positions on the pitch.
If Howson leaves, he’ll need replacing. But if he stays then he could once again provide, not only quality but some much-needed experience in the side.
Boro have a lot of players either lacking Championship experience or experience in general, and next season could see a new wave of youngsters come up into the first-team picture, so someone like Howson could be hugely important, like Johns alludes to.
Fortunately for Boro, they don’t have to many contracts to deal with. But securing a new deal for Howson could quickly become a priority and Howson has made his feelings clear.