Middlesbrough will be aiming for a strong end to the Championship season over the coming weeks.
As things stand, ‘Boro are seven points adrift of the play-off places, and sit 10th in the table.
Michael Carrick will therefore surely need to guide his team to a near-perfect end to the season if they are to snatch a top six spot, and secure a shot at promotion.
But while that will be the immediate priority, any well run club will be planning ahead for the future.
As a result, Middlesbrough should also be thinking about the futures of certain players beyond the current campaign.
Indeed, there are a number of individuals who will see their contracts at The Riverside Stadium expire at the end of next season.
The club will therefore need to decide in the next few months whether or not to attempt to agree news deals with those players to keep them long-term, or to head for pastures new.
So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at three players who futures Middlesbrough will have to make a decision on in the next year, right here.
Riley McGree has been tipped for an exit
Speaking recently, journalist Graeme Bailey suggested that Riley McGree could be a surprise exit from Middlesbrough this summer.
That is due to the fact that he believes the midfielder may not entirely suit Carrick’s plansand set-up. That being said, we have seen recently how important McGree can still to be for the club. His recent winner at Birmingham City was a perfect example of that.
He will still have a year remaining on his contract in the summer, so there is no guarantee of an exit at that point. Even so, that inconsistent form and recent injury issues mean if he does stay for next season, it will only delay a decision the club have to make on him by a few months.
Isaiah Jones has interest away from Middlesbrough
Carrick is certainly a fan of Isaiah Jones, describing the wideman as ‘terrific’ earlier this season. He is however, not the only one who seemingly thinks that.
Clubs in the Premier League have also previously been linked with the 24-year-old. However, Middlesbrough have also seen Jones hampered by injury recently, which has limited his impact this season.
So with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2025, there are plenty of factors in play here. Those may affect Jones’ stance on his future, and in turn ‘Boro’s view over whether to try and extend his deal at the club, or attempt to cash in on that interest at some point in the next 12 months.
Anfernee Dijksteel has competition for his place
Right-back is one position where ‘Boro hace plenty of players on their books right now. One of those is Anfernee Dijksteel.
Along with the Suriname international, there is Leeds United loanee Luke Ayling – who is out of contract with his parent club this summer – and Tommy Smith. The latter is currently out for the season due to injury.
Right now, Ayling looks to be ahead of Dijksteel in the pecking order. So the fact that he will be out of contract in 2025, means Middlesbrough may have to think hard about his future if they pursue a permanent deal for the Leeds United loanee. That in turn, could see them look to cash in on Dijksteel when a chance arises. However, they may also have to wait for, to also see who Carrick favours when Smith returns from injury too, reardless of what happens with Ayling. This therefore, looks a complex situation.
