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An Aston Villa star proved his worth with a superb performance for Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Aston Villa winger loanee Samuel Iling-Junior was a standout performer as Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Oxford United 2-1 in the Championship.
The Riverside Stadium was treated to a spectacle upon the return from the international break as Michael Carrick’s side completed an impressive comeback to claim all three points.
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Michal Helik broke the deadlock for Oxford in the 38th minute but Boro battled back resiliently, equalising just after half time through Kelechi Iheanacho and winning it on the 80-minute mark when Neto Borges found the net with a cheeky flick.
Iling-Junior, signed on a six-month loan deal in January after his spell at Bologna was cut short, played a vital role as he assisted both goals. The first was a terrific early cross to find Iheanacho in the six-yard box, whereas the second was a drilled low cutback for Borges to convert.
Although a winger by trade, Iling-Junior has had the most joy when Carrick has deployed him as an auxiliary left-back. The 21-year-old struggled for minutes initially but has started four successive matches in his new position; impactive when bombing down the flank on the overlap.
Supporters are beginning to take to Iling-Junior and as is the local media, with newspaper Teesside Gazette handing the England Under-21 international a spectacular 8/10 rating on Saturday.
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The publication’s reporter, Craig Johns, wrote: “Exemplified Boro’s second half improvements and had such a huge impact on the game by getting into far more advanced positions in the second half. Most importantly, he provided both crosses that led to the Boro goals.”
The two assists were Iling-Junior’s first goal involvements since joining Boro and they could turn out to be pivotal as the play-off positions are now tantalisingly close. Sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion’s 1-0 defeat to Norwich City allowed Boro to close up to the same points total (57), with just three goal difference now separating the two teams.
Samuel Iling-Junior could prove doubters wrong
He may not be in Unai Emery’s plans just yet but Iling-Junior could prove to be a good value signing, especially when you consider he joined in a double deal with Enzo Barrenechea for just €22 million (£18.3m).
It was disappointing to see Douglas Luiz move in the other direction - joining Juventus to ease PSR concerns - but the deal has at least allowed Villa to benefit for the long term. Neither Iling-Junior nor Barrenechea are at the same level as Luiz but they’ve got the potential to break through into Emery’s plans.
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If not, there’s always the possibility of cashing in for a profit. Barrenechea, dazzling on loan at Valencia, is already wanted by the La Liga club on a permanent basis. Iling-Junior, meanwhile, is bound to gain widespread interest if he continues on his current trajectory.
In other news, there’s been an update on Villa’s permanent pursuit of Marcus Rashford, with transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano explaining what needs to fall in place for the Manchester United winger’s £40 million purchase clause to be activated. Read on for the latest.