Middlesbrough should deal sensational blow to Coventry City this summer on one condition | OneFootball

Middlesbrough should look to sign Carl Rushworth from under Coventry City's noses this summer

Coventry City and Middlesbrough are going neck and neck for the EFL Championship title this season, with the two clubs emerging as the favourites for the top two places, with the title likely to go down to the wire.

Another thrilling season of second-tier football is approaching its final stages, with almost everything still to play for.

Aside from Sheffield Wednesday's relegation already being confirmed, the two other places at the foot of the table are wide open and hotly contested, as are each of the top six places.

Coventry lead the way at the summit, led by former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard, with the Sky Blues aiming for a first Premier League return in 25 years.

Middlesbrough, as they have for much of this season, follow closely behind, looking to end their nine-year stint in the second tier this year under the leadership of Swedish boss Kim Hellberg.

Despite having two of the strongest sides in the league, should either earn promotion, an array of changes will be required to be made throughout the squads to prepare them for top-flight football.

Most teams in years prior often tend to bring in a new goalkeeper upon promotion; Middlesbrough should be no different, and should look to get their noses in front of Coventry for a certain shot-stopper.

Middlesbrough should challenge Coventry City for Carl Rushworth's signature if Premier League promotion is secured

In what would likely be a controversial transfer saga at best, Middlesbrough could ruin Coventry's plans for next season by beating them to the signing of their current number one, Carl Rushworth.

Rushworth joined the Sky Blues on loan from Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion for the season following Oliver Dovin's long-term injury, and has cemented himself as one of the division's most outstanding goalkeepers.

Whilst Coventry's attack has rightfully earned the lion's share of plaudits from fans and pundits alike this season, it has been the England youth international's performance between the sticks which has been crucial to Coventry's success this campaign.

With a goals prevented statistic of 6.5, according to FotMob, Rushworth has comfortably been statistically the best goalkeeper in the division this year, with Stoke's Viktor Johansson the second best on 4.6, albeit the Swede has spent a large portion of the campaign injured.

It's unlikely in any instance that the 24-year-old will be playing Championship football again next season, with a move to another Premier League side the most likely outcome, should he not be able to displace Bart Verbruggen at Brighton.

Coventry will likely try to turn his loan move into a permanent one if they do indeed fire themselves to the top flight, and Boro, should they also finish in the top two, wouldn't do themselves any harm in trying to get ahead of the Sky Blues in the race for his signature.

It would significantly strengthen their own goalkeeping ranks, which could do with an improvement, and weaken a direct rival in the process.

His arrival would be a win-win for Hellberg, though whether a deal in any instance is viable remains to be seen, as Coventry will have the upper hand in negotiations; it would be remiss of Hellberg not to try and steal Rushworth from under their noses.

Kim Hellberg must target a new goalkeeper at Middlesbrough next season in any instance

Whether or not Middlesbrough are a Premier League or Championship team next season, the fact remains that goalkeeper is an area they must look to upgrade.

Sol Brynn is the club's current number one, and whilst he has stepped in and done a solid job when called upon, the underlying numbers suggest that a new body between the sticks might be a sensible route.

According to FotMob, Brynn has underperformed in his goals prevented statistic this season, letting in 4.3 more goals than he realistically should have at this stage.

In comparison to Rushworth, the Boro youth product has let in 10.8 more goals than expected than the Coventry keeper, a stark difference, and one which may ultimately decide the title.

Whilst Brynn has become a popular figure at the Riverside, the Premier League is no place for sentiment, and Hellberg simply must look to upgrade in that area over the summer if promotion is secured, with Boro likely facing even more shots in the top flight than now.

Rushworth would not only be an upgrade on Brynn, but directly weakening a promotion rival in the process would only serve to strengthen their own chances of staying up.

It would be an unpopular move in the eyes of Coventry supporters, and Boro should look to get this one over the line for their own benefit.