Middlesbrough told to make 'crucial' Dael Fry decision | OneFootball

Championship promotion contenders Middlesbrough have been backed to hand club stalwart Dael Fry a new contract ahead of next season

Middlesbrough stalwart Dael Fry is out of contract this summer, and the Riverside Stadium outfit must decide on his future soon.

Boro can still clinch promotion to the Premier League either automatically or via the play-offs, and face vital transfer calls regardless of which division they are competing in next term.

Kim Hellberg's men sit fourth in the Championship with only one game remaining, and are just two points adrift of second-place Ipswich Town, after the Tractor Boys drew 2-2 with Southampton on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough need to beat Wrexham in North Wales this Saturday to give themselves a chance of winning automatic promotion, but they are also reliant on slip-ups from both Ipswich and Millwall.

Middlesbrough told Dael Fry is a 'crucial' asset as key contract decision looms

Boro had seriously lost momentum in their promotion chase, but back-to-back wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Watford have eased nerves at the Riverside Stadium.

Middlesbrough's 5-1 triumph over the Hornets last Saturday was particularly pleasing for Hellberg, who saw key attackers Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway back to their best.

And with the aforementioned Fry's contract set to expire this summer, Football League World asked our Boro fan pundit, Liam Day, if the 28-year-old should be handed a new deal.

Day told FLW: "I definitely think Fry should be getting a new contract, to be honest. I think he's quite crucial because he offers you something different in defence.

"I know a lot of teams want players who can play out from the back. But I think it's quite important just to have a player who will hoof the ball up when needed and just get his head on everything.

"That's what Dael Fry provides. As well as that, he's a local lad. He wants to play for the club, he's played here his whole life. I don't think he'll want too much in wages, so I think that's a crucial one, even if we do go up.

"Definitely not a starter, but he'd be a good squad option to have for the dressing room and stuff like that, just so he can show how much it means to be at the club, and I think that's important. I think you need players like that, especially at any club, just who die for the badge.

"He's certainly one of them. I don't think anyone can deny that. So yeah, I think a new deal should be quite a straightforward decision, to be honest."

Middlesbrough should give Dael Fry a new deal regardless of promotion fate

As summarised by Day, Fry is not a guaranteed starter for Middlesbrough, which is proven by the fact that he has made just 19 Championship starts this term.

Furthermore, the centre-back doesn't have the same technical ability as some defenders in the modern day, meaning he does have a tendency to go direct, rather than playing short passes when under pressure.

However, barring a 2016 loan spell with Rotherham United, Fry has only ever played for Middlesbrough, proving the passion he has for his local club.

His leadership and exemplary attitude prove that he would be an asset for Boro in either the Championship or the Premier League, and should be given a fresh contract ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.