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Middlesbrough will have their eyes firmly set on a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 this campaign, as Kim Hellberg's side look to brush off last season's play-off heartbreak and go one better this time around.
Middlesbrough ended last campaign in heartbreaking circumstances.
Falling away from the automatic promotion places in the final stages of the season, before losing out to Southampton in the play-off semi-final, being reinstated in the final after the Saints' expulsion, before losing in the final to Hull City certainly put Boro supporters through the wringer.
However, there is a great sense of optimism around Teesside this time around, as with four wins, three draws, and one defeat in their opening eight Championship games, Boro will be full of confidence upon their return to action after the international break.
Middlesbrough enjoyed a wonderful summer transfer window recently
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Despite losing both Hayden Hackney and Morgan Whittaker over the summer window, Middlesbrough's business that they have conducted over recent months is widely regarded as some of the best the English second tier has ever seen.
Will Lankshear, Radek Vitek, and Ashley Phillips were all standout performers in their positions in the Championship last campaign on loan from Premier League clubs, and the youthful trio were swiftly snapped up by Boro for hefty potential fees.
Meanwhile, the likes of Kyle Jospeh, Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, Myles Peart-Harris, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Rokas Pukstas all arrived for less lucrative fees, as Amario Cozier-Duberry and Connor Barron joined on loan.
Outside of the parachute payment teams, Middlesbrough have as good a chance as any other club in the division of earning promotion this time around, but looking ahead to next summer, there remains more business for the club to conduct.
Middlesbrough face a contract dilemma regarding Neto Borges, Luke Ayling, and Alex Bangura
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Middlesbrough will certainly be hoping to call themselves a Premier League club this time next season, though regardless of what division they are in, the club has some contract situations to address sooner rather than later.
Alarmingly, each of Neto Borges, Luke Ayling, and Alex Bangura is out of contract at the end of the season, and though the latter hasn't been assigned a squad number for this campaign, there are three players that can play left-back that are due to leave in less than 12 months.
Whilst Arfsten can play in that role, the lack of potential cover and competition is something that Hellberg must be wary of, and heading into the summer window, there is an obvious candidate that ought to be in their crosshairs.
Liam Gallagher, Championship badge, Paul McCartney
Liam Gallagher, Championship badge, Paul McCartney
Middlesbrough should look to target Crystal Palace loanee Rio Cardines, who is currently thriving with Bristol City
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Middlesbrough, having signed one of the best young strikers, centre-backs, and goalkeepers in the Championship last season, have a clear recruitment model, and with a left-back likely to be in their sights, Crystal Palace's Rio Cardines is an obvious potential target.
Cardines, 20, joined Bristol City on loan from the South London outfit in the summer, which is his first-ever loan move to another club, and his first taste of consistent professional football in his career to date.
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Rio Cardines Bristol City Championship statistics 2026/27 so far
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Despite this jump, the Trinidad and Tobago international has landed on his feet and then some, recording six assists from full-back in just eight games, emerging as a reliable and consistent creative threat from either right-back or left-back.
The youngster has taken the second tier by storm, and his performances certainly will not have gone unnoticed, as Boro will surely have his name written down on their shortlist as a potential option moving forward.
Given their recent track record of signing young and exciting players from Premier League clubs who recently enjoyed a spell in the Championship, Cardines fits the bill of what Boro want, and capable of playing on either side of defence, he could be the perfect fit for Hellberg's side.
What have you made of Rio Cardines this campaign? Do you think he will be a Boro target? Would you like to see him at your club? Share your thoughts below!
Kim Hellberg's Middlesbrough may face a financial hurdle in any pursuit of Rio Cardines
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Boro certainly splashed the cash this summer, but despite this, did not spend anywhere near beyond their means.
Hackney's sale to Everton raked in somewhere in the region of £24 million, with £16.5 million of that being up front; Whittaker's sale to Colorado Rapids saw them bring in around £7 million, whilst the sell-on clause of Morgan Rogers' move from Aston Villa to Chelsea saw Boro make over £20 million from that deal after his initial sale.
Whilst Boro's outlay on their summer business has the potential to be lucrative, the up-front fees they have paid are not.
Despite this, Palace may well price the Teesside outfit out of any move for Cardines, especially if he continues performing the way he is, even if they do earn promotion to the Premier League this season.
Regardless, it would be no surprise to see the 20-year-old emerge as a target for Boro before too long, as Hellberg looks to continue to hoover up the Championship's best up-and-coming talent.