Exclusive: Why Middlesbrough have sold Rav van den Berg - Don Goodman reveals his opinion | OneFootball

Don Goodman exclusively told FLW his thoughts on Rav van den Berg leaving for FC Koln

Middlesbrough have sold Rav van den Berg to Bundesliga side FC Koln, raising questions as to why one of their former Player of the Year winners was let go.

The 21-year-old has left the Riverside for a reported fee of £11.2m, having appeared in 66 games for Boro across all competitions during his two years in England.

Rav is the younger brother of Brentford defender Sepp, who played 31 times in the Premier League for the Bees last season.

At the end of the 23/24 campaign, Rav was named both Boro's Young Player and Player of the Season - whilst also being given the captain's armband in an away game to Stoke City.

What Don Goodman has said on Boro losing van den Berg

Speaking exclusively to FLW about the transfer, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman explained why he thinks Middlesbrough were forced into the sale.

"I think defence was one of the big reasons Middlesbrough didn’t forge on and get into the playoffs last season," Goodman told FLW.

"Mistakes defensively - individual errors, goalkeeping errors and Rav van den Berg has been seen as arguably their best defender, but maybe this has been the plan all along," he added.

The former striker pointed to the preparation behind the move, noting that van den Berg's absence from both the Swansea City and Doncaster Rovers games meant the club had anticipated his departure.

"He hasn’t been involved in the first couple of games. Alfie Jones was brought in, possibly in preparation for him leaving."

Jones became Rob Edwards' first signing as Boro boss, joining from league-rivals Hull City on a four-year deal.

The 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes during the club's 4-0 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers, committing two fouls in the process.

Selling Rav van den Berg was a "financial decision" by Boro

Goodman believes the sale was driven by a need financially, instead of footballing reasons - and it's hard to really argue with that point.

"It might sadly be the financial place that Middlesbrough are in - in terms of profit and sustainability. Is the principle reason that they’re letting him go - arguably one of their best defenders, at 21 he’s certainly got lots of ability, lots of potential to improve," Goodman continued.

"Perhaps Boro's need to generate money through player sales shows just how challenging it is to compete well in the Championship whilst trying to adhere to Profit and Sustainability rules.

"So, I think this was more a financial decision. Hopefully Middlesbrough will have some of that money to bring players in, because at this moment it looks like they need to," Goodman concluded.

Rob Edwards could already be spending the money

Soccer Football - FIFA Under 17 World Cup - Semi Final - Netherlands v Mexico - Bezerrao Stadium, Brasilia, Brazil - November 14, 2019 Netherlands' Sontje Hansen reacts REUTERS/Sergio Moraes

Boro made their fourth summer signing on August 13th, bringing in Dutch forward Sontje Hansen from NEC Nijmegen for a reported €3.5m.

This decent-sized fee could suggest that maybe some of the Rav money will be used to pay for Hansen - who was the leading scorer at the 2019 U17 World Cup for the Netherlands.

It remains to be seen whether Rob Edwards will add any more players to his squad before the end of the window, but replacing a player of van den Berg's importance will certainly be challenge - that's if Jones wasn't his direct replacement.