Middlesbrough may regret not beating Coventry City to Aston Villa deal | OneFootball

Kaine Kesler-Hayden is set to sign for Coventry City, but should Middlesbrough have pushed harder to sign the exciting full-back?

After a more than admirable season on loan at Preston North End last season, Kaine Kesler-Hayden is set to return to the Championship, this time on a permanent deal, to last season's play-off semi-finalists, Coventry City.

The transfer is set to be confirmed on Tuesday, 1 July, with Pete O'Rourke revealing that the Sky Blues have paid Aston Villa £4.5 million for his services.

Frank Lampard's side have fended off loose interest from a whole host of fellow Championship sides, including recently relegated Southampton and Middlesbrough, who are aiming to make a climb back into the play-offs under Rob Edwards.

Last season, Kesler-Hayden established himself as one of the more dynamic, exciting full-backs in the division, despite playing for a Preston side who wound up finishing near the wrong end of the division.

And, as we've seen with the likes of Alfie Doughty, Tahith Chong and Issa Kabore during his time at Luton Town, Rob Edwards isn't opposed to operating with attacking wing-backs in a back five.

Kesler-Hayden would have fit that bill perfectly, and Middlesbrough may regret not pushing harder to acquire the Aston Villa youngster.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden would have been a perfect fit for Rob Edwards at Middlesbrough

Kaine Kesler-Hayden's drive and ability to operate in both boxes have made him a sought-after asset for a plethora of Championship sides, and it's no surprise that a promotion-contending side in Coventry have snapped up his services.

However, with Rob Edwards recently taking the managerial role at Middlesbrough, few were expecting Boro to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old, who they were reportedly "keeping tabs on" in mid-May.

This is mainly in part due to how Edwards primarily set his Luton Town side up, with a back three and two dynamic wing-backs.

And those wing-backs thrive under his system too, with the Hatters' brief time in the Premier League paving the way for the likes of Alfie Doughty, Issa Kabore and, when playing there, Chiedozie Ogbene, to be key members of the side, despite Luton's eventual relegation.

It is yet to be seen whether Edwards will deploy a similar style during his time at Middlesbrough, but if he does, then Kesler-Hayden would easily be one of the focal points, and one of the first names on the team sheet if he was able to keep up his good form which he displayed at Preston last season.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden will thrive at Coventry - Middlesbrough have clearly missed out

If Kesler-Hayden keeps up the momentum he generated last season, he would have excelled no matter the club he signed for this summer. In the end, it seems like Coventry will be the beneficiaries.

The 22-year-old was a threat in both boxes last season whilst on loan at Preston, creating 24 chances and completing 43 dribbles, whilst also ranking in the top 12% of right wing-backs in the Championship in duels won both on the ground and in the air.

So, you'd expect playing for a club such as Coventry, which itself offers a lot more going forward, will bring out even more positives for the 22-year-old, who still has room to grow, too.

And, given the amount of young talent who have thrived under Frank Lampard throughout the former Chelsea man's managerial career, it's even more likely that Kesler-Hayden's move to Coventry will see him become one of the league's top players in his position sooner rather than later.

Boro fans will be watching on intently, and if he does perform well, they will be wondering what could have been had he chosen to sign for their club.