Middlesbrough told potential Blackburn Rovers deal "will dictate" Rob Edwards plan | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has been discussing Boro's reported interest in Blackburn defender, Callum Brittain.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers defender Callum Brittain.

Revealed by Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph on Tuesday, Boro along with Wrexham and Derby County have all expressed an interest in signing the Rovers right-back.

However, it's understood that Blackburn aren't too keen on cashing in on the 27-year-old this summer, despite now having just 12 months remaining on his contract at Ewood Park.

Brittain isn't the first right-back Middlesbrough have been linked with this summer, with the Teessiders having missed out on Aston Villa's Kaine Kesler-Hayden to Coventry City, in what is an area of the pitch that Rob Edwards is clearly keen to strengthen at in the coming weeks.

"It's a key position" - Middlesbrough handed Callum Brittain transfer claim

We asked our Middlesbrough fan pundit, Phil Auton: 'Middlesbrough are said to be interested in Blackburn Rovers right-back Callum Brittain. He's not the first right-back to be linked to Boro this summer, so it's clearly a position of interest. Should Boro be raiding Rovers for Brittain, especially as he's out of contract next summer, or can Rob Edwards target a better calibre of player?'

Auton said: "Yes, right-back is a main concern and target - obviously we let Anfernee Dijksteel go on a free.

"We've got Luke Ayling, who can do you a job, but there's lots of concerns about his pace, particularly if we're going to play with wing-backs.

"I think if we sign a right-back or right wing-back, that will probably dictate what the formation is going to be in the summer, whichever one gets over the line - unless you get someone who can do both roles.

"I don't know a great deal about Brittain to be honest, but it's certainly a key position that we're looking for. In terms of Kesler-Hayden, apparently there was some interest.

"According to local media, there was interest, but it was never a priority. So, I think when some fans, as they do, get a bit disappointed when they've moved elsewhere, according to local media, he was never high as a priority.

"So you would like to think that there's somebody better that we have highlighted. There's not a great deal coming out in terms of transfers at all at the minute with Boro, so hopefully there's stuff going on behind the scenes."

Brittain's Championship record certainly suggests he could thrive as a wing-back under Rob Edwards

A full-back by trade, Brittain's Championship career and his attacking output certainly suggests he'd be more than comfortable operating as a right-wing back for Middlesbrough.

Indeed, the Blackburn star has made 180 regular season appearances at Championship level in his career so far, with 71 of those coming from a more advanced position(s) down the right flank - per Transfermarkt.

Over the course of his five seasons as a Championship player, starting from the 20/21 season onwards with Barnsley having played at League One and League Two level with MK Dons prior, Brittain has consistently showcased his ability to get forward and contribute in the attacking phase of the game.

The 27-year-old has produced a highly respectable five assists in each of his last two second tier campaigns at Ewood Park, despite being predominantly deployed as a more traditional full-back last term.

Even from his time at Oakwell, Brittain was evidencing this trait in his game, and so combined with his abilities as a defender, he certainly would appear to fit the profile of someone who can operate in a wing-back role under Edwards.

In fact, he ranked in the top 92.4 percentile of second tier right-backs for successful crosses in 24/25 with 34 (per FotMob), and with Edwards being renowned for his-volume of crosses approach, that statistic will no doubt have him licking his lips.

So, Brittain could be a very shrewd signing for Middlesbrough to make this summer, for a player who has perhaps been one of the most underrated defenders in the Championship over the last five years.