Middlesbrough must take a leaf out of Sunderland’s playbook if they are to solve a major problem.
Nine new players moved to Teesside during the 2024 summer transfer window, with Middlesbrough spending around £18m on signings.
For the most part, the business conducted by Head of Football Kieran Scott has strengthened the first-team squad greatly.
Though it is really yet to bear fruit this season, Michael Carrick now has a plethora of attacking options and many new exciting faces such as Ben Doak and Micah Hamilton, both of whom should be big players for Boro once they settle in.
However, there is one major problem area still remaining at the Riverside Stadium despite a busy summer window.
Lukas Engel has been in awful form during the early part of 2024/25, with his displays costing Boro points in the league and seeing Stoke City smash Middlesbrough 5-0 in the Carabao Cup.
With Engel clearly struggling, the North East outfit opted to sign Neto Borges to strengthen at left-back.
However, Borges was ‘exposed’ during Sunderland versus Middlesbrough, with it clear a further addition in that position is still needed.
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Middlesbrough must now copy Sunderland blueprint
The proper transfer window, of course, shut on August 30th, leaving Middlesbrough waiting until at least January to sign a player on a permanent or loan basis.
However, with left-back clearly a major problem area right now, Carrick and co. should now look to copy local rivals, Sunderland.
Centre-forward is an area the Black Cats have lacked depth in so far this term but they have now solved that problem.
Regis Le Bris did this by bringing former Middlesbrough striker Aaron Connolly in on a free transfer after his departure from Hull City at the end of 2023/24.
Boro must now take a leaf out of their book to sign a free-agent left-back who is clearly better than Engel.
Middlesbrough can now sign Brandon Williams
While a number of free agents have already been snapped up in the last few weeks, Brandon Williams remains available.
The 24-year-old began his career at Manchester United, where he was labeled ‘fantastic’ by then-manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as per Sky Sports News.
He said back in 2019: “And, for me, Brandon was man of the match. He’s been fantastic the few games he’s played. The boy has no fear, he is as brave as a lion and he got us the win.”
Williams most recently spent time on loan in the Championship, helping Ipswich Town win promotion to the Premier League in 2023/24.
But the Englishman was released on a free transfer by Man Utd back in July and could now be the perfect player for Boro.
Williams is a versatile option who can play at left-back and right-back and is a very attack-minded defender – a trait that will please Carrick.