Rob Edwards has started life as Middlesbrough manager, as he looks to build on the progress the club made under Michael Carrick.
While Boro were unable to take the next step by gaining promotion under the former Manchester United boss, he does leave behind a strong side capable of competing with the best in the Championship on their day.
Edwards will want to enhance the present squad through his coaching, but he will also know that fresh players are required to make Boro a force next season.
Middlesbrough need defensive additions ahead of the 2025/26 season
And it won’t take long for the incoming manager to realise that Boro need to sign new defenders.
The previous season, the Teesside club finished joint-fourth in the league in terms of goals scored. Despite this, they were rated 11th in terms of goals conceded, with only Coventry conceding more than Boro in the standings.
Carrick will undoubtedly blame injuries for this, given he was deprived of important defensive players throughout the season, but the reality is that they lack quality and depth in the back four.
Rob Edwards should look to bring Teden Mengi to Middlesbrough
So Edwards and the recruitment team will strive to remedy that, and the head coach should advocate for reunion with Teden Mengi.
The Boro manager brought the Manchester United academy graduate to Luton, and it was a wise move – at first.
Mengi was a standout for the Hatters as they tried to remain in the Premier League, and his handling of some quality strikers drew attention.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old struggled with injuries last season and was unable to establish a consistent rhythm as Luton faced another relegation.
However, this will make a transfer easier, and Mengi will undoubtedly be looking to depart this summer because he does not want to play in League One.
Teden Mengi can help implement Rob Edwards’ tactical approach at Middlesbrough
Boro fans will have been excited by Edwards’ first remarks since his hiring, when he mentioned building a team that plays fast, exciting football.
He frequently stated that he wants his team to be ‘aggressive’ in their approach to regaining possession of the ball and hunting down opponents with intensity.
| Teden Mengi Career Stats (Source: Transfermarkt) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Appearances | |||
| Man Utd | 2 | |||
| Derby County (loan) | 9 | |||
| Birmingham City (loan) | 10 | |||
| Luton Town | 55 | |||
To accomplish so, you must play a high line, which necessitates the addition of defenders capable of dealing with such style, such as Mengi.
He has a strong recovery pace and is willing to play high up the pitch. Of course, there are hazards involved, but it is a modern method of playing that Edwards enjoys.
Mengi is very comfortable on the ball and can accomplish the fundamentals. In terms of raw skill, he possesses all of the necessary tools; nonetheless, the player’s challenge has been remaining healthy and demonstrating his abilities on a consistent basis.
He also fits the type of players that Middlesbrough has targeted in that regard, as they have frequently gone for young players who have yet to establish themselves in the game, with Morgan Rogers being the most recent success story.
So, this is a prospective signing that checks a lot of boxes for Boro, and Edwards should do everything he can to reconnect with Mengi in the northeast.
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