Middlesbrough transfer ‘priority’ revealed as Stoke City goalkeeper named | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been told to upgrade Sol Brynn this summer after his inconsistent form this season.

Middlesbrough still have a chance of securing a top two finish, although they know defeat at Ipswich on Sunday will effectively end that dream.

Either way, promotion is still a possibility for Boro via the play-offs, and whilst they have stuttered recently, Kim Hellberg’s side will still have the belief that they can overcome whoever they face in those high-pressure games.

Obviously, the uncertainty over which division Boro will be playing in next season can impact the recruitment team, who have no doubt drawn on two lists of targets depending on whether the club are operating in the Premier League or Championship.

Middlesbrough urged to replace Sol Brynn this summer

Nevertheless, there are some transfer calls that will be made regardless, and one player who is facing criticism from supporters is Sol Brynn.

The local lad has been with Boro since he was a kid, and, after a series of loan spells, he has established himself as the number one this season.

Brynn has certainly contributed to Middlesbrough’s current position, keeping 12 clean sheets so far in the campaign, and he has made some big saves.

However, like all keepers, he has made mistakes, and the stopper appears to have particularly struggled in the past month or so as Boro’s automatic promotion push has faltered.

That has led to criticism from fans, and when asked by FLW whether Brynn should be upgraded in the summer window, Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day made it clear that he thinks a new keeper is required, as he shared three potential names the club should consider.

“I think a new goalkeeper should definitely be a priority, in my opinion. I get Brynn is a local lad, and he deserves a bit of credit. Saying he has been okay is the nicest way you can describe his season. He has cost us points. If you have a more competent keeper you win games that we’ve lost or drawn this season, so it has to be a priority.

“We should maybe get Brynn a loan as well, so he’s not just sitting on the bench and not doing much. He’s still young, so he has time to turn into a competent keeper, but I’ve been very disappointed in him, especially in the second half of the season.

“In terms of keepers we should target, you’ve got to look at Sam Tickle and Pierce Charles. They’re young keepers but they’ve played a lot of games for their age, and both are impressive.

“Or you look at someone like Viktor Johansson at Stoke, who is about to enter the final year of his contract. We don’t concede many chances, so we don’t need a world beater, although you’d obviously like one if you can get one, like Carl Rushworth at Coventry who has done an incredible job. But we definitely need a new keeper and it should be one of the biggest priorities.”

Middlesbrough’s issues are clear going into the summer window

Firstly, it must be said that Middlesbrough are still very much in the promotion race, and, despite their recent form, they will feel they have the quality and talent to go up.

But, irrespective of whether they reach the Premier League or not, it has been apparent for some time where Boro need to strengthen in the summer - which is at both ends of the pitch.

Generally, Boro dominate their opponents at this level, but, much to Hellberg’s frustration, they lack a clinical striker to finish those chances. So, a new number nine must be brought in.

Similarly, even with that dominance, they are conceding too frequently when you take into account they manage to restrict the clear chances they give away. Unfortunately, some of that is on Brynn, as he has made several mistakes, and he isn’t the reassuring presence Boro would want in goal.

As outlined above, it’s far too soon to write him off given his age, and he has had some big moments this season.

But, he has lacked the consistency that Middlesbrough need from their number one, and it would be no surprise at all if a new keeper arrives in the summer window, whether the Teesside outfit go up or not.