Michael Carrick has some big decisions to make over his Middlesbrough team selection in the coming weeks.
Middlesbrough enjoyed an excellent 2024 summer transfer window that saw nine new first-team players arrive at the club.
This influx of quality talent has given Michael Carrick plenty of selection choices in every area of his squad.
Even at centre-back despite Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan, Rav van den Berg and Matt Clarke all picking up injuries over the summer and early this season, the arrival of George Edmundson from Ipswich Town on deadline day has helped ease the injury burden somewhat.
However, while having quality depth all over the pitch can be a good thing, it may lead the Middlesbrough manager to make some very tough selection decisions going forward.
One area that is particularly full of quality talent competing for just three places is Boro’s forward line.
Finn Azaz was ‘really impressive’ when Middlesbrough beat West Brom
Finn Azaz has been a divisive figure on Teesside since his January transfer from Plymouth Argyle earlier this year.
Azaz has been stifled by Carrick at times during the early stages of the 2024/25 campaign, with the Boro boss opting to play him in his less natural left-wing role.
The midfielder is much worse in that position and his form suffered during the defeat to Sunderland and draw with Preston North End.
However, when Middlesbrough beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 on Tuesday, Azaz was once again back in his favoured number 10 role.
The 24-year-old earned high praise for his display, with Teesside Live dubbing him ‘really impressive’ in their post-match player ratings.
Michael Carrick now has Finn Azaz Tommy Conway dilemma to solve
Azaz was also impressive during Boro’s 2-0 win over Stoke City at the Riverside Stadium this past weekend.
It is evident that the former Plymouth man is much, much better when played through the middle for Middlesbrough.
However, Azaz only returned to the number 10 role because summer signing Tommy Conway picked up an injury.
Prior to that, Conway shone against Preston when operating behind Emmanuel Latte Lath and threatened several times against Sunderland.
When the forward returns from injury, Carrick has a tough decision to make regarding who will be his starting central attacking midfielder.
He gets the best out of Azaz in that role but with Latte Lath the starting striker, the only real place for Conway in the team right now is as a 10.
And as the Scotsman set Middlesbrough back £4.5m in August, Carrick probably feels some obligation to play him as much as possible.
Boro are next in action against Watford on Saturday and it will be interesting to see who Carrick picks to play behind Latte Lath if Conway is back fit.