Middlesbrough are thought to be taking a break to take stock of their summer recruitment campaign. Middlesbrough have lofty goals for the forthcoming season, but they also want to be a club that gives players opportunities when they are deserved.
And further opportunities could be on the way for Alex Gilbert this summer if he can continue to impress Michael Carrick after a promising start to pre-season. He was highlighted as one of the reasons for the club’s decision to suspend their recruitment campaign in order to assess the situation before making their next move in what has already been a successful transfer window. Building on last season’s good foundations, Boro were always anticipated to be more focused and selective during this transfer window, with head of football Kieran Scott stating a quality over quantity philosophy this time around following a busy period 12 months ago when 12 new players were required. Three new faces have already come this summer, and the club is still in talks with Hull City about re-signing Ryan Giles. Boro could also acquire another forward player this summer, but they will examine their specific needs over the following seven to ten days as summer friendly begin and pre-season training begins. Gilbert, the forward who
was disgruntled with his game time for much of last season after being the first of the 12 players to arrive on Teesside on a free transfer from Brentford’s B club, is a major reason for this. Gilbert, who joined with the goal of proving himself in the senior game, spent much of last season on the outskirts while Boro suffered from crippling injuries. However, Carrick lauded the forward near the close of the season after he made crucial contributions from the bench against Southampton and Leeds United, and he was rewarded with starts in the last two games. He was extremely impressive in the opening game at Cardiff City, where he scored and assisted.
Despite that, there was still an expectation that Boro’s summer ambitions and improved options could lead to the 22-year-old heading out on a season-long loan for the upcoming season, much like Sammy Silvera who has joined Portsmouth for the next 12 months. While that does remain a possibility, it seems Gilbert is in a determined mood to change Boro’s plans.
Sources have told Teesside Live that Gilbert has really impressed this summer since returning to the club for the start of pre-season. Going back to that desire at the club to be seen as a place for opportunity and player development, Gilbert is ultimately showing signs of exciting growth that, if he can sustain it over the course of the next four weeks, he could change his course this summer and earn his stay on Teesside, much like Josh Coburn did last summer when a proposed loan move to Plymouth Argyle was ultimately cancelled.
The coming weeks will most likely be key for the versatile forward. Carrick, who can play both as a number ten and a left-sided roamer, is likely to give Gilbert some playing time in the upcoming friendlies against Vitoria SC and Bolton Wanderers, where he will keep a close eye on the forward before the club makes a final decision on Gilbert’s short-term future and Boro’s next steps in the transfer window.
As things stand, Boro are expected to add at least one more attacking player this summer. Gilbert’s preseason form, however, may have an impact on the player’s shape and calibre. Belief in his ability to make an effect next term may lead to a more promising choice being
desired rather than a more ready-made option, with Gilbert now one of six forward choices for three starting slots, with Sonny Finch also likely to be part of the first-team squad.
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