Middlesbrough last
played Premier League football in 2008/09 and are just 9/4 to make an
immediate return to the Championship next season. However, Boro boss
Aitor Karanka has made a raft of new signings as he seeks to bolster
his squad ahead of the new season.
Former Aston Villa
goalkeeper Brad Guzan has signed a two-year deal with the Premier
League newcomers and will be joined at the Riverside Stadium by
former Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who has has signed
on a two-year deal after being released by United in June. Other
recent additions include defenders Bernado Espinosa from Sporting and
Antonio Barragan from Valencia, defensive midfielder Marten de Roon
from Atalanta, winger Viktor Fischer from Ajax and striker Alvaro
Negredo, also from Valencia, on season-long loan. Karanka has said
he’s in no hurry to make further signings, but remains interested
in Cardiff City defender Fabio Da Silva.
Captain Grant
Leadbitter will miss the start of the Premier League season with a
hernia problem and, in his absence, Karanka will do well to lick his
new-look squad into shape, ready for the visit of Stoke City on the
opening day, although pre-season results offer cause for optimism.
Odds of 1,500/1 to win the Premier League title are probably not
overgenerous but, more realistically, Boro are 9/1 to finish in the
top ten and 66/1 to repeat their 2004 League Cup triumph.
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