Middlesbrough went into the international break on a ruthless streak, with Michael Carrick’s side winning two consecutive games and scoring nine goals.
Promotion is the goal for the Teesside club this season, and the manager will undoubtedly be confident that his team will be in the mix come May.
While Boro are one point and one position outside the play-offs, the figures reveal they’ve had a fantastic season, with no team having a better xG so far this season.
| Championship Table (as of 18/11/24) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Sunderland | 15 | 14 | 31 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 15 | 12 | 31 |
| 3 | Leeds United | 15 | 15 | 29 |
| 4 | Burnley | 15 | 12 | 27 |
| 5 | West Brom | 15 | 7 | 25 |
| 6 | Watford | 15 | 1 | 25 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 15 | 6 | 24 |
| 8 | Millwall | 15 | ||
Middlesbrough’s January transfer plans should include Greg Taylor.
There’s a lot to appreciate about Boro, so the January window should prioritise quality over quantity. Nonetheless, there are still areas that need to be addressed, and left-back remains a problematic position.
Neto Borges is the current first-choice, and while the Brazilian definitely has talent, he does not always convince, and Lukas Engel, who is now out injured, has also struggled in English football.
So, if the correct left-back is available, Boro should look into a trade, and Celtic’s Greg Taylor is an upgrade in that position.
Greg Taylor faces an unclear Celtic future.
The Scotland international has been an important player for Celtic, who have dominated domestically during his spell at the club.
However, despite Taylor staying a regular under Brendan Rodgers, his long-term future is uncertain, as his contract ends in the summer of 2025.
Even though Rodgers has reiterated his wish to keep Taylor, no agreement has been reached, and the ex-Kilmarnock man will depart on free at the end of the season as things stand.
If an agreement is not made, Boro could be in for a bargain, as Celtic may be willing to accept a sum in January rather than risk losing the player for nothing.
Greg Taylor could aid Middlesbrough’s promotion campaign.
Of course, there is no certainty that Boro will be able to persuade Taylor to sign, especially with Celtic on the search for more titles this season and a strong chance of reaching the Champions League knockout rounds.
However, a long-term offer could persuade the 27-year-old to leave Scotland for the first time in his career, and he will be aware that Boro provide a viable path to the Premier League.
Taylor would fit in right away, making it an easy decision for Boro. Crucially, he is at ease in possession, with his best years in the green and white hoops probably coming under Ange Postecoglou, who frequently requested him to play an inverted role.
With that in mind, he should be able to adjust to Carrick’s demands and provide balance on the flank.
There’s no denying Taylor could improve his defensive game, but he plays aggressively and competitively, and you’d expect him to be able to handle the Championship.
Another important consideration is that Taylor would be another winner addition to the Boro squad.
We all know how much pressure there is in a promotion race, so having guys who have been there and done it is quite important.
There is a lot of pressure on Celtic players because they must win every week. As previously said, Taylor is capable of handling this, as seen by his countless medals.
The January window is usually difficult for obtaining quality and value, but Taylor checks both boxes for Middlesbrough if he does not sign a new contract at Parkhead.
So it’s a transfer they should look into, and it would be a huge coup for Boro to boost their promotion push if they can persuade the left-back to try a new challenge in January.
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