How Middlesbrough can keep Hayden Hackney in January - Rob Edwards must know it deep down | OneFootball

Middlesbrough will be hoping to retain their prized asset's services for the long haul

It has been a stellar start to life as Middlesbrough head coach for Rob Edwards, with the Teesside outfit full of confidence and belief heading into September.

The former Luton Town boss is looking to go one better than Michael Carrick, who was relieved of his duties at the Riverside Stadium following a dismal end to his tenure, which saw Boro fall away from the play-off picture in the final weeks of last season despite continued backing from owner, Steve Gibson.

There has been plenty of change to the playing squad in the 42-year-old's first weeks and months in the North East too, with the Reds adding the likes of David Strelec, Matt Targett, Svere Nypan, Kaly Sene, Alfie Jones, Alan Browne and Callum Brittain among others to a squad already full of Championship experience and quality.

No doubt though, the biggest piece of business in this part of the world across the now-closed transfer window was the retention of Hayden Hackney, who continued to be the subject of long-standing interest from Premier League and European top-flight sides.

The 23-year-old will remain one of the Championship's hottest properties in the upcoming four months as a result, meaning that, deep down, Edwards will be aware that his side must continue their strong start to the campaign in order to fend off expected interest once again.

Hackney's trajectory has only gone in one direction ever since making his major first-team breakthrough under Carrick in the Autumn of 2022, eventually becoming captain of his boyhood club on several occasions.

The England Under-21 international has been monitored by a plethora of sides above Middlesbrough in the 'food chain' due to his ability to dictate games from a deep-lying position, as well as his eye for a spectacular goal and awareness as to when he needs to burst towards the box for further goalscoring or assisting opportunities.

After the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and FC Porto - the latter of whom reportedly saw a £10m bid rejected for the midfielder back in January - were credited with interest, it seemed like an 'impossible task' for Edwards to retain the services of Middlesbrough's prized asset during his first pre-season after the club failed to end their Premier League hiatus last term.

To the surprise of many, they were able to do so. That is despite claims that Hackney informed the hierarchy at the Riverside that, should a top-flight side present an adequate offer, he would like to depart Teesside with the aim of progressing his individual career after snubbing previous interest from Ipswich Town.

Therefore, his and Middlesbrough's collective performances are certain to gain plenty of attention between now and New Year's Day, with those in power at the club surely aware of their best avenue when it comes to keeping a hold of Hackney for the remainder of the season at least.

Middlesbrough must be in and around the promotion picture in January to retain Hayden Hackney's services

Hackney has never shied away from his love for Middlesbrough, meaning there would also be no sweeter set of personal circumstances than leading his local club back to the 'promised land' for the first time since 2016/17, which ended up being a solitary campaign in the division under Aitor Karanka and Steve Agnew.

Since then, the club have rarely given themselves the chance to return to its former glories, having endured two unsuccessful play-off semi-final campaigns against Aston Villa and Coventry City in 2018 and 2023 respectively, whilst falling short on the top-six on several other occasions.

Despite a disastrous end to his spell at Kenilworth Road, Edwards knows exactly what is required to galvanise a club that is, somewhat, unexpected to challenge for promotion, having achieved such a feat with the Hatters two seasons ago.

Hardly anybody saw Middlesbrough being the early-season pace-setters and only side with a 100 percent record by the time August drew to a close, but it has provided the side with the foundations required to mount a serious bid. If this continues into the gruelling Winter schedule, Hackney's head may be turned for good, and he could remain a Boro player for the long haul as a result.