Middlesbrough hand Bolton Wanderers a painful reminder for one clear reason | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers fans knew how good Amario Cozier-Duberry would be, and Middlesbrough are reaping the rewards

Middlesbrough arguably didn't need to freshen up their right-sided attacking midfielder this summer, and right up until deadline day, it seemed that Morgan Whittaker would be the main option for Kim Hellberg.

The 25-year-old had his drawbacks in a Boro shirt, mainly due to how streaky he was as a player. But even despite that, he still finished last season as their top scorer, and he registered the joint-most assists alongside Hayden Hackney, too.

Whittaker even started the first five games of the ongoing campaign in all competitions. However, when MLS outfit Colorado Rapids came in with a late club-record £7.9m bid for the Boro man, the Teesiders felt inclined to accept.

Middlesbrough fans may have been initially confused at the decision to sell an important player late in the window, but when they heard of the 25-year-old's replacement, it all made sense, and Bolton Wanderers are now starting to see the quality they knew Amario Cozier-Duberry could provide in the Championship.

Bolton Wanderers knew Amario Cozier-Duberry was Championship standard during his loan spell last season

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Cozier-Duberry came through the academy at Arsenal and then landed at Brighton and Hove Albion after leaving the Gunners in 2024. Those are two very good youth setups, so it was evident how bright a future the young winger had.

At times last season, Bolton couldn't believe their luck that the 21-year-old's stock had fallen to the point where Brighton had to loan him out to a League One club to get minutes, as he immediately showed himself to be one of the division's best players.

His ability to glide past opposition left-backs, set up teammates and score some absolute screamers was on display in the early stages. After 15 games, he had six goals and six assists.

Cozier-Duberry's goal contribution output slowed down after that, and a knee injury in January kept him out for nearly three months. But upon his return, he scored twice and assisted twice in four starts and then netted a key goal in the play-offs against Bradford City.

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Despite missing 12 games, the number of dribbles, chances created and touches in the opposition box ranked him in the 95th percentile of right-wingers in League One. Evidently, he wasn't going to be a third-tier player in 2026/27.

Towards the tail end of the campaign, getting promoted almost seemed like a way to try and keep Cozier-Duberry at the Toughsheet Stadium for another year, as it was clear he enjoyed his time with Bolton and had developed well there.

However, the 21-year-old's situation was a rare one in that, despite the Trotters securing promotion, the promise of regular Championship football with them was a level he'd already outgrown. Indeed, if he was to be loaned out again by Brighton, it would have been to a side expected to challenge for promotion, rather than battling to stay in the division.

Speaking after deadline day, Bolton boss Steven Schumacher admitted that he didn't expect to get Cozier-Duberry on a second loan, stating they knew there was interest from Wolves and West Ham United before eventually landing with Middlesbrough.

Amario Cozier-Duberry has begun life at Middlesbrough perfectly

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It may only be two league games, but Middlesbrough are starting to realise why Cozier-Duberry was so well-liked at Bolton, and why the 21-year-old is said to be destined for big things in the future.

You wouldn't have known he was a League One player this time last year, as the wideman has fit into one of the second-tier title favourites with ease, scoring in his first two games against tough opposition in Norwich City and Millwall.

Both goals have been difficult ones to finish, too, with his highest xG from either of them being 0.07. He's averaging over 2.2 shots on target per 90, alongside 2.28 chances created per game, too.

For a Kim Hellberg side who thrive off being fluid going forward and creating plenty of chances, having players behind talisman Will Lankshear who can contribute on the scoresheet is paramount to Boro's promotion push, and Cozier-Duberry looks to be the man who could come second in the scoring ranks at the Riverside.

Bolton Wanderers will hope they have enough to survive in the Championship without Amario Cozier-Duberry

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It must be hard as a Bolton fan to look on at what Cozier-Duberry is doing at Middlesbrough currently. They knew the quality the 21-year-old has, and if they were able to luck out and bring him in on loan again this past summer, their chances of survival in the Championship would have improved tenfold.

As it happens, they've endured a battling opening seven games to life back in the second tier after a seven-year exile. Steven Schumacher's side ended a four-game losing run by picking up their second win of the campaign against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Staying in the second tier is the sole goal for the Trotters this season, with every win being incredibly important in achieving that. Without Cozier-Duberry, they'd have to work extra hard to pick up those vital points.

It's been so far, so good, for the reigning League One play-off winners. We'll see if they can go the entire campaign without missing their star loanee from last season too much.