Sad News: Nightmare transfer scenario would leave Middlesbrough woefully short in key area

Middlesbrough’s need for another striker is patently obvious, but then the team will be woefully short in midfield if Hayden Hackney still leaves.

This is exacerbated by Jonny Howson’s departure to take over as Under-21 coach at Leeds United. Aidan Morris is a vital player, and will be one of the first names on the team sheet, but it’s encouraging that Boro have signed a couple of new midfielders. Hopefully Abdoulaye Kante and Sverre Nypan will both prove capable of taking a game by the scruff of the neck.

Howson was a rock solid performer for eight seasons. He led by example in his attempts to win the ball and make things happen, even despite his growing years. Hackney, for me, is the best player in the squad. However he may still soon add his name to a frustrating long history of Boro selling their top men, whether forced to or not.

We will all notice the difference if he goes, especially if Boro fail to bring in anyone nearly as good before the transfer window closes. It would be great if Law McCabe could step into Hackney’s shoes and do a similar job from the start, though despite the lad’s undoubted ability, it’s a big ask.

McCabe will get there eventually but may need to be taken in and out of the side in order to get where Boro want him to be. Even so, the door remains open for McCabe if he can step up to the oche. Hackney has turned down Ipswich but it may be a case of delaying the inevitable.

Hayden may be hoping for a Premier League club to come in, though whether or not he is at a level where he could be pitched straight into one of the country’s top sides remains to be seen. On the other hand, he has tested himself against Europe’s best young international players this summer and will believe he is well capable of continuing to climb the ladder.

I have wondered during the summer whether a move to a decent Continental side might have proved a better bet. This would have enabled Hackney to then take up a role at a Premier League club having developed into a complete player abroad.

The bottom line, of course, is that football is a career. Hackney has to think of his family and his financial future. I would prefer to see Boro roll the boat out and make him the best paid player on their books. Fingers crossed that it will still happen. A Boro side with Hackney in their ranks will certainly do much better than one without him this season.