5 players that should leave Boro in January window
From a prolific proven Championship goalscorer to an out-of-favour failed Uruguayan.
There are many players at Middlesbrough Football Club that should be looking to leave for the good of their career.
And with the Janaury transfer window now well under way, here is five players that should be out of the door on Teesside…
5 – Carlos De Pena
De Pena arrived on Teesside in dramatic fashion during the 2015 summer window.
The Uruguayan was on his way to sign for Boro on deadline day but was involved in a dramatic car crash that looked to jepordise the deal.
No problem!
De Pena then flew to Brazil where he was greeted by Boro legend Juninho who concluded the deal on behalf of the club…
Was it worth the hassle?
Since signing De Pena has struggled to break into the Boro side and now finds himself playing for the Under-21’s on a regular basis. De Pena was recently linked with a move back to his former side Nacional.
4 – David Nugent
The former England international has only enjoyed 40 minutes of game time this season, and at the age of 31, the striker could well be after a regular first team place with his career coming to an end.
Nugent arrived at Boro at the start of the last campaign to help Karanka’s side secure promotion back to the Premier League, but with the imminent arrival of Rudy Gestede from Aston Villa, regular football is looking increasingly unlikely for the forward.
While Nugent may well struggle to secure another Premier League move, such experience would be valuable to any Championship side.
3 – James Husband
The left back suffered a horrible injury during a pre-season friendly with York and has not found his way back into Boro’s first team squad since.
Husband spent the majority of last season on loan to Fulham and now finds himself as Boro’s third choice left back behind George Friend and Fabio.
A succession of injuries and suspensions would be the full backs only hope of getting a chance at the Riverside. Husband should now look to move on a permanent basis for regular first team football.
2 – Daniel Ayala
Despite being Boro’s stand out central defender during their last two campaigns in the Championship, it seems Ayala is now well out-of-favour at the Riverside behind Chambers, Gibson and Espinosa.
The Spaniard has only made two starts for Boro this season and although he was a part of a defence that kept a clean sheet away to Arsenal, Ayala was instantly dropped the following game for the returning Chambers who was not eligible for the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Many Boro fans would be disappointed to see Ayala leave but it may just be what the Spaniard needs to help grow his career.
1 – Jordan Rhodes
With Boro struggling to find the net this season, you would think that prolific goal scorer Jordan Rhodes would be more than deserving of a chance in the Premier League?
But that certainly has not been the case for the Scotland International.
With the acquisition of Alvaro Negredo in the summer, Jordan Rhodes has become somewhat of a forgotten man on Teesside.
In the system in which Aitor Karanka favours, Rhodes is very unlikely to get a chance, and many argue that he would not suit that lone striker role.
Jordan Rhodes could well do a job for lower end Premier League clubs, and there will certainly be a long list of Championship sides fighting for his signature should he become available this window