Probably the only club in the North-East that can genuinely claim to be a quality youth academy is Middlesbrough. Last season Marc Bola, Dael Fry, Marcus Tavernier and Djed Spence - all graduates of the academy - played over two thousand minutes each. Financial constraints at the Riverside have contributed to this but Middlesbrough have always had an efficient youth system.
The fact is it is just not possible to turn every player into a world beater and some of the best talents may have already broken through here. Djed Spence and Dael Fry in particular look like Premier League players in waiting.
The current crop have achieved good results at U23 and U18 level so some of the players there are presumably still talented enough to make a push - especially as Middlesbroughâs money woes do not appear to have subsided.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Max Metcalfe |
| CB | Nathan Wood |
| CB | Jack Robinson |
| RB | Daniel Dodds |
| LB | Williams Kokolo |
| CM | Isaac Fletcher |
| CM | Hayden Hackney |
| CM | Connor Malley |
| RW | Sam Folarin |
| LW | Alberto Balde |
| CF | Josh Coburn |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Henry Popple |
| CB | Ben Beals |
| CB | Frankie Whelan |
| RB | George Gitau |
| LB | Josh Marshall |
| CM | Jack Stott |
| CM | Alfie Doherty |
| CM | Luke Woolston |
| RW | Nathan Simpson |
| LW | John Fenton |
| CF | Calum Kavanagh |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Hayden Hackney
- Position: CM
- Age: 19
- Nationality: English
Hackney is a former England schoolboy international who has played over forty times for Middlesbroughâs U23 team despite only turning eighteen in June. Having signed a new contract in May, Hackney has proceeded to earn significant game time in pre-season, building upon his exposure to first team training last year. Quick enough to play out wide, although more comfortable in the middle, Hackney is technically proficient with a nimble running style. Unusually for a central player he loves to run at players which helps to cause problems within the opposition defence but his slight frame makes playing often in the Championship something of a risk.
Nathan Wood
- Position: CB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: English
Wood has been linked with a loan move this season but currently one has not emerged and the youngster is edging closer to a first team spot. Having spent the second half of last season as a regular at Crewe Alexandra, Wood returned to Middlesbrough and has been playing as part of a three man defence alongside Dael Fry and Paddy McNair. Wood is currently the youngest player to ever appear for Middlesbrough when he played against Notts County aged sixteen years and seventy-two days and the England U19 international is now well-placed to either have a strong loan spell or to make serious first team headway. A cultured defender with the ability to step into midfield, Wood is a real Premier League prospect.
Connor Malley
- Position: CM
- Age: 21
- Nationality: English
Another central midfielder with potential to become a first teamer. Malley is slightly further down the road of development than Hackney with the twenty-one year old having made three league appearances last season and earning the man of the match award on his debut. Having spent short amounts of time with both Ayr United and Carlisle United, Malley will now be looking at becoming a regular in the first team squad given the lack of numbers in the squad. A composed midfielder, Malley is good at keeping possession and is always looking to create opportunities but is a fairly plodding runner. With Middlesbrough lacking depth currently, Malley could easily see himself making more appearances next season.